What is CIA?
Do you have the skill and passion to make a strong case for Christianity and defend it against the most challenging objections? Then join us for the 18th annual CrossExamined Instructor Academy, July 31 – August 2, in Charlotte, NC at Central Church.
Why is this necessary? Because a majority (about 75%) of churched youth leave the church after high school, intellectual skepticism is a major reason (which is fed to them continually from their iPhones and most universities). CrossExamined.org exists to engage colleges, high school campuses, and churches with a reasonable and engaging case for Christianity using our I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist seminar. Nevertheless, due to the magnitude of the problem, we have committed to training men and women every year in a unique, three-day intensive program, the CIA.
Here are some important facts about CIA:
- We currently have few spots left. However, please keep in mind that although we receive many applications, CIA is intentionally kept small. Spots are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis to accepted students.
- CIA is NOT an apologetics conference or a place where beginners learn about apologetics. It is a three-day intense training event where those with a solid foundation in apologetics deepen and sharpen their presentation and question-answering skills. At the same time, it is NOT necessary to have a degree in apologetics or philosophy to attend CIA, but you should have a good working knowledge of the basic arguments covered in our book, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist (co-written by Dr. Frank Turek and Dr. Norman Geisler) and Greg Koukl’s Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions.
- To get the CIA certificate, in addition to hearing lectures and participating in discussions, you will be asked to give two short presentations to a small group of other CIA students. You will then answer questions and receive feedback from several of our instructors. However, if you don’t intend to present and get the certificate, you can take the audit track (when filling out your application, you can choose between these two options).
- Those who want to present can choose any topic related to apologetics. The first presentation will be on Friday and will be 12-15 minutes in length. The second presentation will be on Saturday and will be 9 minutes in length (details will be sent to you upon your acceptance to CIA).
- The CIA class is deliberately kept small to give students a unique opportunity to be personally instructed by some of the world’s best Christian apologists, not to mention the ability to network and ask questions to instructors and fellow students during breaks and meals.
- The goal of the CIA is for attendees to use what they’ve learned to advance the Kingdom wherever they go or create opportunities to present in churches, schools, small groups, conferences, at home, on the street, online, etc. You don’t have to start a national ministry to make a difference. If you bloom where you are planted, you can make a difference for Christ right where you are. Nevertheless, some CIA graduates have created their own significant ministries and/or earned advanced degrees, including Alisa Childers, Natasha Crain, Melissa Dougherty, Clark Bates, Tim Stratton, Alex McElroy, Jorge Gil, Eric Hernandez, Neil Mammen, and many others. There is even an excellent new apologetics book written by CIA graduates called Faith Examined.
- Tuition for the three-day program is $945. Students on the audit track may attend for $750. Students or alumni of Southern Evangelical Seminary, Ratio Christi and Reasonable Faith chapter directors, and Stand to Reason outpost directors may attend for $745. Graduates of previous CIA classes may attend for $605. Tuition includes lunches each day, dinner one night, and the non-refundable application fee of $25.
- Transportation to and from CIA, and accommodation are the responsibility of the attendee.
- Several other hotels are located within 3 miles of the church venue, but please be mindful of reviews as some of these hotels are located in areas that are not tourist-friendly. This year, we have been able to secure a block of rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte/Southpark, which is approximately 3 miles from the church where the CIA will take place. We will share information on how to reserve one of these rooms with all accepted students.
- CrossExamined.org subsidizes the CIA. In other words, students’ tuition only covers a portion of the conference’s cost. If you would like to partner with us to conduct the CIA or to make more scholarships available, please donate here (all donations are tax-deductible).
- Curious about refunds? Visit our Refund Policy to learn more.
- Don’t be intimidated! If you are curious about whether CIA is right for you, please contact us below.
If you have any questions, please contact Diego, our Director of Operations, at diego@crossexamined.org. We hope to see you at CIA!
