Dr. Jerry Bridges
Jerry Bridges was a longtime staff member of the Navigators and international speaker. He authored ten books and three devotionals including The Pursuit of Holiness, which sold well over a million copies, and the award-winning The Discipline of Grace and I Will Follow You, O God.
He had a life-long joy of encouraging younger disciples of Christ in their pursuit of Him.
Dr. Jerry Bridges went to be with the Lord in 2016. The Co-Author of The Great Exchange, Bob Bevington, wrote a warm eulogy about him that was published by The Gospel Coalition: Jerry Bridges (1929–2016): My Prayer Partner, Mentor, and Friend.
Bob Bevington
Bob Bevington graduated with honors with a doctorate in optometry from the Ohio State University in 1980. He served as an optometrist for the next two decades while simultaneously co-founding several entrepreneurial start-up companies including a LASIK provider with eighteen locations.
However, Bob’s passion is not business; it is the cross. In 1998, he began to pursue an in-depth study of the works of John Piper. This helped Bob to see the cross as the blazing center of the glory of the grace of God–where His justice and love intersect to provide a perfect sacrifice and righteousness that is all-sufficient for his needs as a sinner. It also helped Bob to begin to see the God-centeredness of all things, a discovery that kindled a growing satisfaction and joy in God, and sparked a process of freedom from the grip of sin.
Bob met Jerry Bridges in January 2003, and quickly learned to ‘preach the Gospel to himself every day.’ Jerry began mentoring Bob’s spiritual development through an informal course of individual study. Bob began to complete writing projects including an update of Thomas Wilcox’s 17th century essay, Honey Out of the Rock, and a 100-page syllabus for Jerry’s seminary course, Gospel-Centered Sanctification. This discipline of writing eventually grew into the co-authoring relationship that resulted in this book.
Bob is married and has four children. He resides in Hudson, Ohio where he enjoys tennis, hiking, fly-fishing, reading, and of course, Ohio State Football. He can be reached at www.thegreatexchangebook.com
Mitchell Gingrich
Mitchell L Gingrich, author of the Study Guides found at www.TheGreatExchangeBook.com, is an attorney in Akron, OH who focuses on estate planning, corporate and real estate law. Mitch was asked to author these Study Guides based on his personal relationship with Bob Bevington, which includes past experiences working together in ministry, as well as a doctor-patient and lawyer-client relationship.
When he is not practicing law, Mitch is active in his church, The Chapel, where he serves as a deacon, part-time adult Bible fellowship teacher, volunteer with The Chapel International Student Ministry and leader of a men’s group, the CREW, which continually encourages and inspires him to love and serve the LORD and primarily serves as his learning lab for discussion questions.
Service to others is a significant part of Mitch’s life and testimony, as he and his family are currently serving as short-term missionaries (2005 to present) with The Navigators , where they have served with International Student Ministries of New Zealand. Presently, the Gingrich family is exploring full-time service opportunities with the Navigators with an emphasis on ministering to international students in New Zealand. For more information about their service with the Navigators, please contact Mitch directly at .
Mitch currently resides in Medina, Ohio with his wife Beth, and daughter Sarah.