I thought the way I grew up was ‘normal’ but most would probably agree that my history and journey have been a bit unusual. The eldest of four, born May 11th, 1955, in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada, the majority of my first decade was lived with my missionary parents in the highlands of Netherlands New Guinea (West Papua), among the Dani, a technologically stone age tribal people. These became my family and as the first white child and outsider who ever spoke their language, I was granted unusual access into their culture and community. Although at times a fierce warring people, steeped in the worship of spirits and even occasionally practicing ritualistic cannibalism, they also provided a deep sense of identity that remains an indelible element of my character and person.

By the time I was flown away to boarding school at age 6, I was in most respects a white Dani. In the middle of a school year, my family unexpectedly returned to the West. My father worked as a Pastor for a number of small churches in Western Canada and by the time I graduated, I had already attended thirteen different schools. I paid my way through Bible College working as a radio disc jockey, lifeguard and even a stint in the oil fields of northern Alberta. I spent one summer in the Philippines and another touring with a drama troupe before working in Washington D.C. at Fellowship House, an international guesthouse. Completing my undergraduate degree in Religion, I graduated summa cum laude from Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon.

Mr. Townsend joined the business consulting firm Exponential Inc. in 2015 as Chief Creative Officer, and is on several Corporate and Advisory Boards for such companies as Global Heavy Construction Company Inc., Double Infinity Inc., Nutech Inc., and Light Shine Media Project. In 2016, Mr. Townsend founded and launched The New Cambridge School Of Worship, an accredited online school with three bachelor programs formed within the structure of The Global Grace Seminary. In 2008 Mr. Townsend and his wife Shelly founded an orphanage in Asansol India, in honor of his mother Bonnie. They live in Houston, Texas with their 7 children.

The strap line of the Grace Project – “Discover who you really are” – articulates the heart and purpose of the initiative. Paul believes that many, if not most, Christians not only have yet to discover this truth but worse, in the absence of this awareness, they (we) are left to live out of our “own” resources with the inevitable consequences of burnout and disillusionment.

Paul’s books: The Bonsai Conspiracy; Safe and Sound and Grace for Grown Ups all speak to this, his main emphasis, what he calls “the gospel to the saved” as expressed by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians – “It is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me and the life that I now live, I live by the faith of the Son of God.” [Gal 2:20].

Paul is a well-respected commentator who is called upon by the BBC television and he is a regular contributor on Radio. One Producer kindly said of Paul, “There are not many intellectuals who’re able to unpack issues in a lay manner, that give clarity, wisdom with deep emotional understanding. He’s popular amongst listeners and viewers alike.”

Far from being a career pastor, Paul is a director of the City-based firm Simply Leaning & Development and is a partner in the Organisational Development and Inclusion practice AWSS LLP.
Whether commercially or pastorally, Paul’s work centres on enabling people to understand the primacy of identity and inclusion. Paul’s clients range from Investment banks to Government Departments.
Paul has been a trusted advisor to numerous business leaders, professional sports people, professional entertainers, singers, actors and musicians, helping them to remove their interior barriers to their own success. The common thread through Paul’s work is his desire to help people realise their full potential. Regardless of the context Paul’s unique gift to communicate peoples’ self-worth and expand their horizons is truly extraordinary.
http://paulandersonwalsh.co.uk

David’s latest book, I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY: Being a Better Friend to Those Who Experience Loss, is already an Amazon best seller.

In line with his life-values, David Knapp has served on the advisory board for two international non-profit organizations: Kidz at Heart and One Way Evangelistic Association. He is very active in Trinity Church, his home church in Mesa, Arizona.

David Knapp grew up on a farm in southern Iowa and attended college, Calvary Bible and Seminary in Kansas City with an honorary doctorate degree from Peniel Baptist Seminary. He has lived in seven states, currently residing in Mesa, AZ. In addition to time with his family, he enjoys reading and fishing. His foreign travels include; Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Ecuador, and the exotic Amazon jungles of Brazil visiting primitive, tribal missionary bases.