HAPPY TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! Check out these stories from fellow Answer Team volunteers, and be encouraged!
Christopher Schwinger (January 2014): My pastor from the church I attended in Kansas City, Scott Sundin, who went to Calvary Bible College around the time Shea (Got Questions’ founder) did, had a congregant named Darline Metsker who was a volunteer for Got Questions, and he recommended I pursue being a volunteer. She passed away in 2023 and my pastor encouraged me to pursue the ministry in 2013. Even though I had once done an email exchange with a Got Questions volunteer about something, I was not aware of the extent of the email ministry, that it’s a whole different thing than the articles on the Got Questions website. I have always liked that volunteers are given several days to come up with answers to questions or ask for them to be reassigned if needed. I feel like the ministry has really helped me focus my philosophical mind into writing practically for people, and I’ve been able to gauge the level of writing effort on my end by looking at the profiles and writing skills of the questioners. I hadn’t ever had to tailor my writing to specific needs or English proficiency levels before. That’s been good for me in communication skills when I converse with people too, I think. I also really like being able to help people without them prejudging me since they have no idea about my age or personality, which can sometimes make people have more resistant egos. I wouldn’t be able to help people in a lot of settings face to face because I don’t have a counseling degree, for example. But I’ve been able to do a type of biblical counseling with some of the answers I write.
One of the nice comments I got from a questioner was in 2017, after I went back and forth with him a lot about the topic of “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit”: “A man named Chris on your staff helped me get through probably the most difficult time of my life. I was using the email [] at the time if that helps you find who I am talking about. Anyways I was talking with him back and forth for several months on the topic blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. It seemed like my heart was hard to every kind of Bible verse that said God loved me from 1 John 1:9 to John 3:16 to John 6:37. But Chris, one day you told me to read John 10. And THANK YOU SO MUCH! God has used to change my life and I am so thankful you told me to read that chapter. At the time I didn’t respond to the loving part of the chapter but instead God spoke to me in John 10:26 which said that we don’t believe because we are not His sheep. From that day I feel this love for God burning inside of me. Now all the verses about God’s love speak to me. Words jump off the page when I’m reading the Bible. Worship is like never before, I feel in God’s presence. Prayer is alive! I feel like God has called me to be a Pastor. Chris thank you so much for all you did to help me through that tough time in my life. You have forever changed me. God bless you!”
Patrick Thompson (February 2014): I first came in contact with GQ when I was researching for teaching that I was doing and enjoyed the succinct, accurate answers from G.Q. I agreed with everything that I continued to research in preparing to teach each week. I particularly enjoyed all of the reference Scriptures and the fact that G.Q. is firm on our faith’s essentials and not condemning the nonessentials. I have suggested G.Q. to many people looking for solid, truthful Bible answers to their questions. I also like the fact that G.Q. affects the entire world in timely Biblical answers. What an opportunity to reach the entire world from our world of technology!
Christy Krenek (April 2014): As I reflected on the past 10 years, I read my application letter that I sent to GotQuestions. Some things are still the same. “I love to write. I find that the written word can provide healing as well as laughter when seasoned with the Holy Spirit’s inflections.” But I never expected some of the unique questions I would encounter:
Fashion – “Are yoga pants, leggings, and skinny jeans immodest? What if worn with a longer top, a skirt, or a jacket tied around?”
Unusual – [Male, Christian actor, under 19] “Is there a way I can play villain roles or a nice robot that kills zombies, and can still honor God?”
Seriously? – “If Adam and Eve are in heaven, and if I do make it to heaven, can I give them a punch (as hard as I can) . . . I bet God would let me do that, since they really are guilty of everything.”
In January of 2005, I first met MeLissa. As my editor, she cultivated a writing passion in me for reaching the world for Christ. When I transitioned in April 2014 to write for GotQuestions, I felt privileged to be part of such an incredible ministry that Shea and MeLissa had envisioned. Each week, I would receive the “perfect” question from my new editor, Gwen. I am confident that the Holy Spirit guided her in each question that she assigned. Not only was I helping others, but God was strengthening me for challenges I would face in my personal life as well. The Holy Spirit’s presence was always evident as Gwen became my mentor, intercessor, trusted friend, and so much more.
Writing for GotQuestions continues to be a significant way that God speaks to me about His calling on my life. Having lived for over seven decades, I tend to reflect more on the eternal. I’ve learned to never underestimate the power of the gifts that God has placed within us. When we use those gifts to glorify Him, people everywhere will experience the fullness of Jesus Christ.
Mark King (July 2014): I left the pastorate to pursue a PhD and teaching, however things did not go as planned. Teaching positions are difficult to acquire and a PhD is no guarantee. Instead I got a Library Science degree so that I could be an academic theological librarian with opportunities to teach. In 2013 I got 3 offers but none of them were right for my family. In 2014 I started writing for Got Questions and I also became the Library Director at my church. Even though it is not as planned, I am fulfilling my calling in these two positions, while I sell insurance to pay the bills. I will one day to retire from insurance but I hope to answer questions and work in the library for the rest of my life. Before 2014 I had several years of feeling frustrated but now I know I am the right place doing what God has called me to do.
It may sound strange but the most memorable question I answered was from a young man who loved to fish and was struggling with the thought that God might want him to give it up. I shared with him that when I was his age fishing was a major part of my life and I could not have dreamed of a scenario where it wouldn’t be. But now, I hardly ever fish and don’t miss it because my life is so full of other things. If God calls him to give something up, He has more in store to replace it. I am struck by how often it seems a question is tailored to my specific background. I know that questions are assigned to the person who may be best equipped to answer, but often I get questions that “fit” me in ways that no one at Got Questions could even suspect.
Bonnie Gayda (August 2014): I’m not quite sure how I came about finding Got Questions. Most likely in the pursuit of finding sound doctrinal truth. Which indeed I found. I guess the Lord has given me a passion that those who do not know Christ would come to know Him, and that those who are saved would have a better understanding, through Scripture, of how great a God we serve. The importance of sound doctrine and how to apply it to every day life. I see myself, at various stages of my life, in many of the questions I receive. There are so many Christians who are hurting, confused and lacking assurance and it is my hope, as God allows, to be an encouragement always pointing to Scripture for our source of all truth. So the reason I continue is the reason I began. It is a blessing and privilege to serve with Got Questions. My hope and prayer is that others will be blessed through this and that God will continually be magnified.
Ray Leroux (October 2014): If my memory is correct, I was looking at GQ’s website and there was a section concerning if you would like to join GQ. That caught my attention so I responded. Since I was saved on Jan. 15, 1977, I’ve always liked learning about my Savior. This interest brought me to read, read and read some more. My favorite books were systematic theology & dogmatics. I remember buying a Bible dictionary and reading it through!
There are two aspects that I appreciate about GQ. The first is to be able to help people resolve the questions they may have concerning the Lord and the different aspects of Christian living. The second is the challenge that every question brings to me. I never know what I will receive next. Some questions are rather simple to answer but for others I can spend a few hours reading up on the subject matter before answering.
I always look forward in receiving questions. It’s a little something that I can do for the advancement of the kingdom of God. The fact that I have been a pastor and a missionary since 1980 helps me to understand people and respond in a Christ-like manner.
A big thanks to GQ for allowing me to participate in their ministry.
Mark Kraus (November 2014): Ten years ago, the church my wife and I attended closed, and my wife and I found a new church that was supporting GotQuestions.org. I was encouraged to join the writing team because of my interest in doctrine. I have been challenged over the years I have been with GotQuestions to seek out biblical background for what I believe. Through searching the scripture in order to provide answers to questions sent to me, I have had to be like the Bereans and be very clear what I believe and why I believe it. By answering questions through GotQuestions, I find that I have learned as much, if not more, than the questioners I have answered. I plan to continue writing for GotQuestions as long as I am able. Helping others build the foundation for their beliefs while shoring up the foundation for my own beliefs is so edifying to me that I can’t pass up the opportunity to continue to do so. I thank God for this chance.
