About The Ankerbergs.

John and Darlene Ankerberg grew up under the influence of parents deeply involved in evangelism. Both came to faith in Christ at a young age, and they were barely teenagers when they began to use their God-given talents to share the gospel among their peers and around the world. Over fifty years of marriage and ministry, the Ankerbergs have traveled and worked together to bring God’s Good News to the world. 

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Dr. John Ankerberg is an internationally recognized author, evangelist, and apologist. He is the host of the award-winning John Ankerberg Show. Dr. Ankerberg has three earned graduate degrees: a Master of Arts in church history and the philosophy of Christian thought, a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary.

Darlene Ankerberg recieved a BA in Speech and Education and an MA in Interpretive Speech Bob Jones University. After working as a teacher in Chicago, Darlene joined John to begin evangelistic work in the US and overseas before the Lord called them to defend the faith through the work of ATRI. Darlene serves as CEO of ATRI, providing strategic direction and operational leadership.

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Our Story.

 The  biggest turning point in John Ankerberg's life happened while he was still in high school. His family moved at that time, changing houses and also schools. A few weeks before school started, he was at a teen summer camp and heard a message asking 'will you be a witness for Christ?' He remembers sitting in an empty baseball diamond wrestling with God over this question, because he knew that for him that meant bringing his Bible with him to his new school and being vocal about his faith. It wasn't an easy decision, or one he made lightly, but Dr. Ankerberg says, "God won that fight... and that was a turning point, basically for my whole ministry." Bringing a Bible to school meant that kids asked questions, and those questions needed answers. His standard response was, "I don't know the answer to that, but let me find out and get back to you." These types of conversations with classmates prepared him for leading student ministries with his peers, then later doing college outreach, and speaking at evangelical crusades domestically and internationally.
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1978-79 

John began hosting debate style apologetics programming on KYFC, a Christian television station in Kansas City.

1980 

The John Ankerberg Show began airing on the Christian Broadcast Network, KYFC (Kansas City) and WCFC (Chicago). The Ankerberg family moved to Chattanooga, TN.

1982

The John Ankerberg Show grew into a full-time job for John, leading him and his staff to rent ministry office space in Chattanooga, TN.

1991

Banquets and TV productions were hosted around the country, including a large Apologetics Conference in Orlando, FL in 1991.

1996-97

A building was purchased, a studio was built and our website was launched.
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2001

The studio was expanded and additional offices were added.
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2008 

John and a team traveled to Israel for three weeks to film on-site programs with Dr. Jimmy DeYoung.

2016

 ATRI began partnering with Faith Comes By Hearing to send Audio Bible devices to those who have never heard the gospel in their native language. 
 

Together we give hope of the gospel to people worldwide, especially those in oral cultures who need to hear God’s Word to understand it.

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2017

 

Our free online discipleship course was filmed and developed, which has since been translated into 10 languages.

Today

Our mission has not changed in over 45 years, and it is not changing now.

We are still creating television programs that defend the faith and challenge the skeptic. 

We are continue to offer resources from the best evangelical scholars so that you can, in the words of Peter, be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). 

We also are still putting our faith in practice with supporters like you as we give the gift of God’s Word to those who need it most through Audio Bibles and relief efforts worldwide. 

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