By the age of twenty-one C.H. Spurgeon was the most popular preacher in London. He preached to crowds of ten thousand at Exeter Hall and the Surrey Music Hall. When the Metropolitan Tabernacle was built, thousands gathered every Sunday for over forty years to hear his lively sermons. In addition to his regular pastoral duties, he founded Sunday schools, churches, an orphanage, and the Pastor's College.

Jason K. Allen is the fifth president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo. Since coming to Midwestern, he has led the institution to become one of the largest and fastest growing seminaries in North America. In addition to his role as president, Dr. Allen serves as professor of preaching and pastoral ministry. More broadly, he serves the church through his preaching and writing ministries. He is the author or editor of several books, including Being a Christian, Letters to My Students, vol. 1-2, and Succeeding at Seminary. Dr. Allen regularly posts essays on his website, jasonkallen.com, and hosts a weekly podcast, "Preaching and Preachers." He and his wife, Karen, are both from Mobile, Ala., and have five children: Anne-Marie, Caroline, William, Alden, and Elizabeth.