Answering the Big Questions Conference
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2026
TIME: 9:00 am–3:30 pm | Doors Open: 8:00 am
LOCATION: Ephrata Community Church
70 Clay School Rd, Ephrata, PA 17522
PRESENTERS: Mark Farnham, PhD, and Mark Lamontia, M.S.
COST: Adults, $35 | Students Age 12-18, $10 | Lunch Option: +$15
RSVP: By February 28
This conference is designed for you as a believer, no matter your age or stage of faith, from pastors and ministry leaders, to small groups, to those newly exploring Christianity. Sessions are geared toward adults and teens, equipping you to engage the surrounding culture with a strong biblical worldview.
SESSION TITLES
What is Truth? Darwinism or Intelligent Design
Evolution is often presented as our culture’s creation story, fully explaining the origin of animals, plants, and humans. While adaptation and change over time are observable, Darwinism struggles to account for universal common ancestry and the emergence of truly new organisms. Join us to explore these limitations thoughtfully—and discover how Intelligent Design provides a more robust explanation.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of AI, and a Christian Response
AI brings remarkable good—advancing medicine, learning, and communication—yet harbors real threats: deepfakes, pervasive surveillance, screen addiction, unemployment, social credit, virtual escapism, and the question of AGI. In this discussion, we’ll explore the full picture and consider a thoughtful Christian response rooted in wisdom and hope.
Are the Gospels Reliable?
Can the accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection be trusted as historically accurate? We’ll explore the evidence for the Gospels while considering how our worldview shapes our understanding of history, testimony, and divine revelation.
Is There an Answer for the Problem of Evil and Suffering?
How can we reconcile evil and suffering with a good and all-powerful God? This session addresses these questions, showing how the Christian worldview uniquely explains the reality of suffering.
How Can I Effectively Engage Unbelievers with the Gospel?
Sharing the gospel isn’t just about evidence or sharing personal experience. It’s about addressing the foundational beliefs that shape how people see the world. Learn practical strategies for guiding conversations toward the truth of Christ.
SCHEDULE
8:00 am | Doors Open & Registration
9:00 am | Session 1
9:50 am | Break
10:00 am | Session 2
10:50 am | Break
11:00 am | Session 3
12:00 pm | Lunch
12:45 pm | Session 4
1:45 pm | Session 5
2:30 pm | Q&A
“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…”
–1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
PRESENTERS
Mark Farnham, PhD
Founder and Director, Apologetics for the Church
Mark Farnham has been teaching Apologetics in local churches for almost twenty years. His study of Apologetics has opened doors to interact with all kinds of people. As a kidney transplant recipient and cancer survivor, he knows suffering firsthand and is deeply grateful for both God’s mercy and medical science.
Mark is an engaging speaker who combines simple, clear explanations with gripping personal illustrations from fascinating encounters with nonbelievers of all kinds.
Dr. Farnham’s Full Bio
Mark Lamontia, M.S.
Mechanical Engineer, Scientist, and Apologetics Speaker
Mark has lectured on Intelligent Design and the Intelligent Design–Darwinism controversy since 1995. He has also guest-taught cosmology at Towson University. More recently, he has spoken and debated at West Virginia University, Towson University, Penn State University, the University of Delaware, Drexel University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. His topics include the origin of the information required for life, the Darwinism–Intelligent Design controversy, engineering evidence for Intelligent Design, and Christian apologetics.
More about Dr. Lamontia's Engineering Science Career
Mark Lamontia recently retired as a Corporate Fellow at a major specialty materials company after a 43-year career in application design and development. He holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University. Throughout his career, Mark has contributed to 38 commercialized products, authored 91 technical publications, holds 20 patents, and has mentored 63 engineers. His work has supported numerous NASA, military, and aerospace contracts, and he is a frequent speaker at international technical conferences.
What is Apologetics?
In 1 Peter 3:15 we are called to prepare to “give an answer” for the hope within us. The Greek word translated in this phrase is apologia, a legal defense against a false charge.
Our loving and non-confrontational approach aims to help Christians answer the questions and objections unbelievers raise against the faith.
There are different types of apologetics, contributing in different ways to the defense of the Christian faith. Our preferred take is Presuppositionalism. By listening carefully and asking good questions, we get to the heart of an unbeliever’s obstacles to accepting Christ. We can then reveal the irrationality of their worldview before presenting the truth of the Christian faith.
Are you prepared to handle questions and doubts about your faith?
Register Today
Please RSVP by February 28
The questions of our culture aren’t going away, and neither is the call to give a reason for the hope you have in Christ Jesus. Join us and gain clarity, confidence, and biblical tools to stand firm and speak truth with love. Register today and take the next step in strengthening your Christian worldview.