Season 1 Participants

Kyle Robinson, Ph.D. is a historian of Early Modern and Enlightenment Europe. His research focuses on the relationship of 18th century European intellectual transformations to the world of Christian belief, particularly in England. He joined the Olivet Nazarene University history faculty in 2019 where he offers courses on European History with an emphasis on cultural history, the history of ideas, and the history of Christianity.

Rev. Mark R. Quanstrom, Ph.D. is the Senior Pastor of  College Church of the Nazarene, University Avenue. Before this, Dr. Quanstrom was a full-time Professor of Theology, Philosophy and Practical Ministry at Olivet.

He received a B.A. from Olivet Nazarene University, an M.Div from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Historical Theology, from St. Louis University.  He is the author of two books and numerous articles. His doctoral dissertation was published in 2004 by Beacon Hill Press under the title “A Century of Holiness Theology,” which some consider to be one of the publisher’s landmark publications. His second book, “From Grace to Grace,” is an exploration of the call to holiness and was published by Beacon Hill Press in 2011.

Kole Bowling, is a political science and history major with a minor in legal studies from West Chicago, IL. As of this recording he is a student at Olivet Nazarene University, with the hopes of becoming a campaign manager in the future. For this episode, Kole will be talking about the perception of magic during the 18th century and how it changed from the Catholic perspective to the Protestant perspective.

Amber Williamson, is a psychology major with a French minor from St. Charles, IL who is fascinated by all things French, particularly the violent, passionate uprisings rampant in French history. At the time of this recording, she is a student at Olivet Nazarene University, working as a community engagement intern for Project SUN, a non-for-profit in Kankakee, IL. She hopes to spend the upcoming summer after graduation in southern France to immerse herself in French culture, and upon her return to begin a fulfilling career in Human Resources. For her episode of The Massacre at Paris Amber presents the events of the bloody St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, offers various theories and motivations of who was responsible for the bloodshed, and provides a critical analysis of Christopher Marlowe’s theatrical rendition of the massacre. 

Terrence Guy, is a history and political science major from Belleville, Illinois with interests in food and the impacts of diet on the reformation in Europe. As of the time of recording, Terrence is a student at Olivet Nazarene University and he is the President of Capitol Hill Gang. Looking into the future, Terrence plans to attend law school and pursue a career in immigration law. For his episode of Hear the Voice and Prayer, Terrence focuses on the effects of food on the Reformation and how it got the ball rolling to change Christianity as a whole.

Sara Waskow, a student from Olivet Nazarene University, is a History major with a minor in Studio Art from Canton, IL. Using her degree, she plans to continue her education in the field of historical knowledge and preservation, one day hoping to find a career in the conservation and care of museum artifacts and items on display. For her episode of  Hear the Voice and Prayer, Sara delves into the career of the highly celebrated 16th century German artist, Albrecht Dürer, exploring his legacy and impact not only as a creative vision of the Northern Renaissance, but also his voice and influence as a Lutheran sympathizer during the early years of the Protestant Reformation.

Shemara Fontes, a student from Olivet Nazarene University, is a Multimedia Communication major with two minors in Leadership and French from Cape Verde. Upon graduation she plans to continue to work with media serving in the communications team for the African Region of the Church of Nazarene. Shemara is the editor and producer of  Hear the Voice and Prayer, working closely with Dr. Robinson as a part of her Senior Practicum project she was able to help bring this podcast to life for season 1.

Jacob Fryer, is a social science education major from Georgetown, Kentucky. He is interested in worship music specifically during the reformation period of Europe. He is a student at Olivet Nazarene University and is a member of the cross country and track team at the University. During this episode of Hear the Voice and Prayer Jacob and Dr. Robinson discuss the thoughts and beliefs of what an 18th-century clergyman thought that worship was. 

Janae Kennedy, is a History major from Coal Valley, IL with a passion for European History and Philosophy. During the recording Janae is a student at Olivet Nazarene University. She would like to pursue her master’s in an international setting and then complete her Doctorate, becoming a Professor of European History. For this podcast episode Janae analyzes Martin Luther and his struggles with physical experiences and how he invented ways to ward off unwanted spirits that he encountered during his years at the Wartburg castle. How does one’s body respond when dealing with spirits and demons, even more, how did Luther’s body respond. The devil, for Luther, was a physical embodiment and a real attack that he struggled and wrestled with for days and nights. 

Noah Garcia, is a history and political science major from Milford, Illinois. At the time of the recording, Noah is in his second year at Olivet Nazarene University. He currently has the goal of earning his bachelor’s degree in three years and then going to law school to do legal stuff and grow further in debt. Noah is especially interested in the United States Civil War. By taking a class that examined the implications of the Reformation, he was able to expand his knowledge of European history. Noah’s podcast examines Martin Luther’s personal struggle with Satan. Much to his surprise, the podcast went in a different direction than expected. He expected the podcast to solely focus on Luther’s intense, and sometimes comical, encounters with Satan. Instead, Noah quickly found out to understand Luther’s struggles with Satan, one needs to have an understanding of the intense faith that Luther possessed. For it would be Luther’s faith that would transform all of society and shape the modern world.

Nathan Rohrer, hails from Davis Junction, IL. His main interests, in regards to history, pertain to the study of military history and its wider influences on the world. As of the time of recording, he is a student at Olivet Nazarene University and participates in several university programs and honor societies. For his episode of Hear the Voice and Prayer, Nathan dives into the English Grand Tour and examines its relation to Protestant and Catholic tensions that had swept across the European continent.

Mack Brza, is a student at Olivet Nazarene University, majoring in history and minoring in writing. He has had a passion for history and anthropology from a young age and has made his best effort to utilize it where he can. Mack’s interests lie in both religious history and his own local history. In his episode of Hear the Voice and Prayer, He uses his knowledge of Church history and the new world, to describe the conversion of natives in New France.

%d bloggers like this: