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 Shroud Speakers Directory







Welcome to the Shroud Speakers Directory. We have created this page in response to the many e-mail requests we regularly receive from groups and organizations looking for qualified individuals to speak on the Shroud of Turin. By consulting this directory, you will find listings for Shroud lecturers that include a short biography of each, a description of the topics they present, their geographic location, how to contact them directly and other pertinent information that will help you find the right speaker for your group. Once you find someone you are interested in, just contact them directly to discuss the details. The content of the listings is provided by the speakers themselves, who are listed alphabetically by last name. The website does not book speakers nor does it act as an agent for anyone listed on this page. We provide this page as a convenience to our viewers, but inclusion does NOT constitute an endorsement of the speakers' views or their presentations by STERA, Inc. or the editors. We do not review or edit the content of the speakers' presentations, which is solely their responsibility.

If you are a Shroud lecturer and would like to be included in the Directory, see the "Obtaining A Listing" section at the bottom of this page for detailed instructions. Listings are available on an international basis. All Shroud lecturers everywhere are invited and encouraged to participate.


Alphabetical Speaker List

 
 


Mark Antonacci

Biography:

Mark Antonacci is an attorney who spent almost 20 years researching and writing the most recent and comprehensive book on this subject, The Resurrection of the Shroud. This book provides the first scientific explanation of how the body and blood images on the Shroud were formed and the future testing to verify the explanation; the first scientific refutation and explanation of the Shroud's carbon dating results and the future testing to confirm the explanation and calculate the cloth's true age; and that for the first time in history, there is an extensive amount of medical, scientific, archaeological and historical evidence for the crucifixion and resurrection of the historical Jesus Christ. This book contains more than 30 new and important points that have never been published in any previous books.

Mr. Antonacci has gathered this evidence from every relevant source, scientist, or expert in the world, many of whom he has known intimately for a number of years. He is the founder and president of the Shroud of Turin Advancement Corporation (STAC), a non-profit corporation that has funded and facilitated a number of new and valuable scientific projects in connection with the Shroud. He has appeared or been featured on numerous national and local media. He taught Evidence and Criminal Procedure after graduating with distinction from John Marshall Law School in 1977. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Political Science and a minor in History from Western Illinois University in 1971.

Scope and Content of Presentation:

Covers all relevant medical, scientific, archaeological and historical evidence relating to the Shroud of Turin.

Equipment Requirements:

Screen and microphone, if required. Kodak slide carousel.

Honorarium:

Fee is negotiable; travel expenses to be provided by host.

Area of Country available for speaking:

Anywhere in the United States, Europe, or the world.

Contact:

Mark Antonacci
122 S Central Ave
Eureka, MO 63025
Phone: 636-428-7376  Fax: 636-938-3709
E-mail: AntonacciLaw@aol.com
Contact Person: Christine Hardgrave, Legal Assistant

Location Photography By: J.S. Pearson Photography, Saint Louis Missouri, 63017  (636)207-8193
Updated January 21, 2008

Janice Bennett

Biography:

Janice Bennett received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design and Journalism in 1973 from Northern Illinois University. After many years as a graphic artist with various companies, she formed her own studio, specializing in typography and design. She began to study Spanish at Metropolitan State College of Denver in 1991, and completed a Master of Arts in Spanish Literature at the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1997, with a thesis on the Leyendas of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer. During the course of her studies, she participated in programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Peru, as well as in Madrid, Salamanca, and Burgos, Spain. She has taught Spanish literature for many years, and published a guide to literary analysis entitled Guía práctica a la literatura, el análisis y la redacción. She is a member of Sigma Delta Pi, the national Hispanic society, the Modern Language Association and the Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. She also completed a four-year program in Biblical Studies with the Catholic Biblical School of Denver.

Janice became interested in the Sudarium of Oviedo in late 1993, and began to translate the published studies of the Centro Español de Sindonología in 1998, which led to her book entitled, Sacred Blood, Sacred Image: The Sudarium of Oviedo, New Evidence for the Authenticity of the Shroud of Turin. She is currently writing her second book to be published by Libri de Hispania, on the Holy Chalice of Valencia, believed to be that used by Jesus at the Last Supper. Expected date of publication is August 2002. She has published articles on the Sudarium, Shroud and Holy Chalice of Valencia.

Janice's interests include photography, painting, piano, travel and cooking. She has traveled extensively in Spain, as well as in many other countries of Europe, Central and South America, Israel, Greece, Egypt, Morocco and Turkey. She was selected for Marquis' Who's Who 2002.

Scope and Content of Presentation:

Comprehensive coverage of the Sudarium of Oviedo, including its history, the scientific investigation, Judaic culture, Biblical analyses, and comparative studies with the Shroud of Turin. Presentation includes photographic slides. Length is 60-90 minutes, depending on the requirements of the host, with one-half hour for questions. English or Spanish.

Equipment Requirements:

Screen and microphone. Sufficient electrical outlets for computer and projector.

Honorarium:

Fee negotiable. Host responsible for airfare and hotel, and will allow time for the sale of books after the presentation.

Areas available for speaking:

Anywhere in the United States, Europe or the world.

Contact information:

Janice Bennett
P.O. Box 270276,
Littleton, Colorado 80127
Phone: 303-973-2541
Fax: 303-973-3014
Mobile: 720-209-4561
Email: bennettjanice@mac.com

Updated May 5, 2008

Richard Bernatchez

Biography:

Dick Bernatchez is the founder of Faith Based Communications (FBC) [www.faithbasedcomm.com]. FBC was established to provide presentations/exhibits to groups of any size on subjects related to Christian Faith. He participated in the 2014 St. Louis International Shroud Conference.

FBC makes presentations on the Shroud of Turin. FBC is also authorized to exhibit The Vatican International Exhibition of the Eucharistic Miracles of the World, along with an accompanying presentation.

Scope & Content of Presentation:

FBC's Shroud presentation is entitled, "Sacred Cloths of the Passion" and explores the Shroud of Turin, the Sudarium of Oviedo, and the Tunic of Argenteuil. The presentation takes audiences through the history of each cloth, scientific analyses, current data that refutes the C-14 dating of the Shroud, analogies between the Man of the Shroud and Jesus through scripture, etc. The inability to explain the mechanism by which the image on the Shroud was created is also explored, along with the unique photo-negative and 3D characteristics of the image. Finally, the links among the cloths indicating that each was in contact with the same crucified person, and its implications are examined. Exhibit materials include full size Shroud images (both positive and negative), an interactive VP8 image analyzer for exploring the 3D characteristics of the Shroud, as well as crown of thorns, crucifixion nails, etc. 100-110 minutes + questions.

We also have a presentation entitled, "Stations of the Cross in the Light of the Sacred Cloths of the Passion", which is a suitable one-time alternative to the standard 'Stations' during Lent. 40 minutes.

Equipment Requirements:

NONE, the speaker brings all required equipment. You need only provide an appropriate space (chairs for attendees and a few tables) and promote the event. We provide you with tailored fliers for use in promoting your event.

Honorarium:

There is NO speaker fee/honorarium, NOR any request for reimbursement for travel, lodging, or meals associated with any presentations.

Area of country available for speaking:

Anywhere in North America.

For more information:

Dick Bernatchez, BSME, MEA and PE (Professional Engineer)
Faith Based Communications
848 N. Rainbow Blvd. #5437
Las Vegas, Nevada 89107
Phone: 775-720-4519
Email: info@faithbasedcomm.com

Updated July 5, 2015

Bob Bird

Biography:

Bob Bird is a semi-retired public school teacher on the secondary and collegiate levels, currently a home-school tutor and radio talk-show host in Alaska, where he has lived since 1977. Raised in the Midwest, he attended his first Shroud lecture in the late 50s and even at a young age was permanently fascinated.

Being a professional historian, Bob has studied the up-and-down saga of the Shroud throughout the centuries. His lectures emphasize historical theories, the Pia, Enrie and Schwortz photographic record, and Barbet's A Doctor at Calvary. In the 1970s he watched unfold the STURP conclusions, and patiently awaited the rebuttals of Shroud historians and scientists after the C-14 press conference, now impossible to ignore.

He possesses a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in History, is a half-Italian war-baby, and saw the Shroud in the 2010 exposition. He has given Shroud lectures over thirty times throughout Alaska and in New Jersey, Florida and Minnesota.

Scope & Content of Presentation:

Bob travels with the life-sized replicas of both the Shroud and Oviedo sudarium, produced by Barrie Schwortz, who has been a guest numerous times on his radio show. He inculcates a discussion of the Manoppello Cloth and other relics in the power point presentation. He has used volunteers to demonstrate how the Shroud was wrapped with a continuous length 14-foot white cloth.

The talk is constantly updated and can be designed for a public school setting as an historical artifact of religious significance. He also modifies it for grades K-12, and for Evangelical, Orthodox, Catholic and general public audiences.

Honorarium:

Minimal, with free-will donations accepted. Completely free if presentations coincide with vacations and family visits.

Equipment Requirements:

In smaller settings, a large flat-screen TV will suffice, or a lap-top projector for larger rooms and audiences. Lighting, audio and a proper mounting surface for the replicas are important considerations.

To Contact Bob Bird:

50615 Shemya Way
Kenai, Alaska 99611
Email: bob.bird@hotmail.com
Call: 907-398-9373

Updated December 5, 2022

Russ Breault

Biography:

Russ Breault is the founder of the Shroud of Turin Education Project, Inc. (STEP). The mission of STEP is to offer a big screen experience to colleges, universities and churches. Mr. Breault has been researching and lecturing on the Shroud of Turin for over 30 years. He has appeared in numerous documentaries including Mysteries of the Ancient World on CBS and most recently The Real Face of Jesus on History Channel which premiered in 2010 and has since aired over 30 times. In 2013 he appeared on Good Morning America to discuss the latest research.

Mr. Breault's presentation, known as SHROUD ENCOUNTER, has been seen at Duke University, West Point, Penn State, Cal State and many others. In addition, he has presented at hundreds of churches of all denominations.

Mr. Breault is a professional marketer by trade and believes in the necessity of effective promotion for the success of any event. STEP makes available the following promotional resources: :

For more information:

Go to www.ShroudEncounter.com

To Contact Russ Breault:

Email: russ@ShroudEncounter.com
Call: 678-817-7188
Or write: PO Box 3397, Peachtree City, Ga. 30269, USA

Updated August 31, 2013

Ray Downing

Biography:

Ray Downing is the creative force behind the History Channel special "The Real Face of Jesus?".

This program focuses on the 3D information contained in the Shroud of Turin, which many believe to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ.

Downing uses the image on the Shroud as the basis for constructing an avatar of the man it once enfolded, a man who bears the specific wounds associated with the historical Jesus.

The program became a worldwide phenomenon and once again stirred interest in the Shroud of Turin as a physical bridge to spiritual beliefs.

Downing pioneered the bodily reconstruction of historical figures using computer graphics when in 2009 he constructed the Virtual Abraham Lincoln, which appeared in the History Channel special "Stealing Lincoln's Body". He was awarded an Emmy for individual achievement in his craft for creating the first video images of Abraham Lincoln, 150 years after his assassination.

Downing is currently engaged in personal investigations into the physical phenomenon which produced the Shroud's mysterious encoding.

Scope and Content of Presentation: Equipment Requirements:

Large LCD screen or computer projector and PA system.

Area of Country available for speaking:

The entire US

Honorarium:

Fees are determined by travel time, type and size of organization, and projected audience.

Contact:
Maria Downing
Phone: 845-331-6737
Posted February 13, 2011

Giulio Fanti

Biography:

Giulio Fanti is Professor of Mechanical and Thermic Measurements at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Padua University, Italy, since 1996. He was founding member of the Center of Studies and Activities for Space CISAS "G. Colombo" http://cisas.unipd.it/, Secretary of the Italian group of official professors of Mechanical and Thermic Measurements and he has been member of technical teams of international Space Missions: the Giotto Mission to the Halley Comet, the TSS-1 Mission, the Mission Mars '94 for the study of "Fourier Realtime Michelson Spectrometer", the Cassini Mission for Huygens probe for HASI.

His past research activity was devoted to the study of physical models of space structures, uncertainty analysis, finite elements modeling, thermo-mechanical optimization of space instruments and sound, pressure, vibration, damping, color and strain measurements. His present research activity is devoted to measurements by means of vision systems, diagnostic of structures and testing of space systems. From 1997 he is in many a groups for studies on the Turin Shroud and he has published two books, two papers in Int. Journals and 18 papers at Conferences about this argument. He was also tutor of 9 degree thesis that treated the image of the Shroud Man. Now he is studying what kind of mechanisms can be involved in the body image formation and the microscopic characteristics of the image-fibers. He is the author of more than a hundred of papers also published in Italian and international journals, lecture notes and books. (Editor's Note: To read Giulio's papers, visit the Scientific Papers & Articles section of the Website Library page of this site, as well as Giulio's own website linked below).

Scope and Content of Presentation: Equipment Requirements:

Screen and microphone. Sufficient electrical outlets for computer and projector; semi-dark ambient capable to both make visible the projected slides and to show some little (about 30 cm) clarifying models.

Area of Country available for speaking:

Europe preferred, but all the world if possible; a complete PowerPoint presentation can be lent anywhere on request.

Honorarium:

Travel expenses to be provided by host, no fee.

Contact:
GIULIO FANTI, Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Padua, Via Venezia 1, 35131 Padua - Italy
Telephone: +39-049-827-6804 Fax: +39-049-827-6785 /-6788
E-mail: giulio.fanti@unipd.it
Posted January 21, 2007

Sean Fitzgerald

Biography:

Sean became interested in the Shroud of Turin after seeing a presentation in high school in 1983. He has earned a Master's Degree in Religious Studies, and a Master's Degree in Theology (both from St Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, NY.) He also has a Post-Graduate Certificate in Shroud Studies from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. Sean works full-time in the marketing and higher education industry, and lives in Highland, NY, with his 5 children and wife of 30 years.

Scope and Content of Presentation: Watch a Video

If you would like to watch a past video of one of Sean's presentations, please go to this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOEOS7Aw8OA&t=5s

Equipment Requirements: Area of Country available for speaking: Honorarium: Contact Info:
Sean Fitzgerald, MA
27 Salk Drive
Highland, NY 12528
Email: seanfitzg1967@gmail.com
Cell: 845-797-9258
Posted June 30, 2021

John "Dee" German

Biography:

John "Dee" German was one of the original team of STURP researchers who went to Turin, Italy in October 1978 to perform the only comprehensive set of tests ever performed on the Shroud. Dee retired in 2008 after a 42-year career as a scientist, electro-optical engineer, and assistant professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He became involved in Shroud of Turin Research while teaching Physics at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He was initially drawn in by a challenge from a fellow professor, Dr. John Jackson, to help create a full-sized, three-dimensional statue of the Shroud front image from a photographic negative of the cloth. The statue consisted of a full-height, bas-relief stack of 570 box-cardboard cutouts generated by the VP-8 image analyzer. Following that work, Dee joined the team of STURP scientists for the trip to Turin and subsequent analysis of the result. Dee presented a paper at the 2008 Shroud Science Group International Conference at Ohio Stae University titled "On the Visibility of the Shroud Image."

Dee has put together a presentation summarizing what's known about the Shroud and relating his story of how God transformed his life and brought him from scientific agnosticism to belief in God and Christ. Dee and his wife, Linda, retired to a home on Lake Seminole in southwest Georgia where he divides his time between part-time consulting, church activities, Shroud of Turin presentations, and enjoying God's beautiful world.

Scope and Content of Presentation: Equipment Requirements:

For smaller audiences (wherever three or more are gathered . . .) Dee will provide his own computer, projecter, and screen, unless airline travel is involved. For venues with their own computer projection system, a computer that can accept a Powerpoint or a PDF presentation file is all that's needed.

Area of Country available for speaking:

From his home in Donalsonville, GA Dee will travel up to 200 miles round trip at no charge for travel expenses. He will drive up to 400 miles or travel by air anywhere in the country for gas/airfare, meals and lodging.

Honorarium:

Dee's presentation is given free of charge to any sized group in any venue.

Dee can be contacted at:
Dee German
2777 Lake View Drive
Donalsonville, GA 39845
Email: dee.german@aol.com
Phone: 229-816-3013
Posted August 26, 2012

Dr. William Greene

Biography:

Dr. Bill Greene has retired from the practice of Urology. He trained and taught as a surgeon at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. 20 years ago, he answered a calling to study Christ's Crucifixion. After years of research, he created a PowerPoint presentation entitled, "The Passion of Our Lord through the Eyes of a Surgeon."

Scope and Content of Presentation:

Dr. Greene's work begins with the Shroud and Dr. Barbet. As a surgeon, he explores the physical and psychological complexity of Christ's suffering in uncompromising detail, that is found nowhere else.

The work was initially presented in Christian churches and in medical missions in Haiti. But, it has found a special home in the prisons of South Carolina. It has been received by more than 7,000 inmates (a challenging audience). The 75 minute PPT presentation is followed by a call to Conversion utilizing Pastor Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life.

The entire presentation with text and PPT can be reviewed on the web at a site that will be provided upon request.

Equipment Requirements:

All of the audiovisual equipment for this presentation travels with the speaker.

Honorarium:

Expenses are negotiable based on travel.

Contact:
William R. Greene MD
2220 Daniel Island Drive
Daniel Island, SC 29492
Email: GUDOC96@HOTMAIL.COM
Phone: 843-997-6915
Posted May 8, 2022

John C. Iannone

Biography:

John Iannone has studied the Shroud of Turin since 1978. He published The Mystery of the Shroud of Turin: New Scientific Evidence in New York. At the invitation of Cardinal Giovanni Saldarini, then Papal Custodian of the Holy Shroud, he attended a 3 day Shroud Scientific and Historical Congress in Turin, Italy where he observed the Shroud firsthand. He has carefully followed the work of the STURP Team: The Shroud of Turin Research Project.

Having earned a Master's Degree in Religious Studies from the Catholic University in Washington, D.C, he did additional studies in theology at Fordham University and Union Theological Seminary in N.Y. He then served two terms as President of the Holy Shroud Task Force, a national organization of doctors, scientists, historians, theologians and others working to protect and preserve the Holy Shroud and to promote further study of this revered cloth. He has lectured to over 130 Churches of all denominations as well as Schools (High School level), Civic and University groups including the University of Central Florida and The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C..

He was a guest speaker of Mother Angelica on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) cable special "The Shroud and The Passion" and WLAE-TV's New Orleans public television special "The Shroud of Turin: The State of the Question." Mr. Iannone operates a film-studio (NorthStar Production Studios, LLC) in Orlando, Fl. which specializes in contemporary Christian film-making.

Scope and Content of Presentation:
Presentation: Approx. 70 minutes utilizing PowerPoint. Available afterwards for questions or discussions. Covers current state of the findings of medical, scientific, archaeological, art and historical evidence relating to the Shroud of Turin, including most recent information regarding the challenge to the Carbon-14 testing.
Equipment Requirements:
Has own Screen, Projector/Computer and PowerPoint Presentation. Requires only a microphone, darkened room and sufficient outlets.
Honorarium:
Fee is negotiable. Host responsible for airfare, lodging and meals. Speaker requests time for the sale of books & DVD after the presentation.
Area of Country available for speaking:
Anywhere in the United States or Canada.
Contact:
John C. Iannone
E-Mail: jciannone@gmail.com
Cell Phone: 407-361-6790 (Orlando, Florida)
Website: www.northstarproductionstudios.com
Posted January 21, 2009

Chris Knabenshue

Biography:

Chris as been doing research on the Shroud of Turin since his first year in Catholic seminary studies in 2000. In 2001, Chris put together a small presentation on the forensics of the crucifixion and the Shroud of Turin for a seventh and eighth grade class at his home parish in South Bend, Indiana. Seeing that the topic was of great interest, he expanded this presentation and began offering it to different parishes, organizations, and other groups. He has currently traveled to six different states presenting on the Shroud of Turin. He was also asked by Dr. Gilbert Lavoie, a good friend and the catalyst for his interest in the Shroud, to deliver the talk of Fr. Walter Abbott at the 2001 Dallas International Conference of the Shroud of Turin. Through this humbling experience, Chris has made many connections with the researchers and scientists directly involved in Shroud research. He is currently the president of the Shroud of Turin Society of Northern Indiana which commits itself to educating the public on the Shroud of Turin as a means of a tool of evangelization. Using his background in Theology and Philosophy, he has written a chapter in Dr. Bart Saucelo's Revised Second Edition of Resurrection Documented: A Window to the Supernatural, which discusses the Shroud within the context of the miracle of the Resurrection. In the summer of 2005 he launched The Crucifixion and the Shroud website (www.crucifixionshroud.com) in an attempt to bring the science, the history, and the meaning of both the Crucifixion of Jesus and the Shroud of Turin in a powerful and visual way to the level of the lay person.

Scope & Content of Presentation:

Chris's main presentation "The Crucifixion and the Shroud" is a dramatic presentation on the forensics of the Crucifixion and the much disputed Shroud of Turin using all five senses of the body. The first section of the presentation draws on Chris's past experience in acting and dramatically takes the participant through the process of crucifixion. It utilizes many pictures, props, and replicas of First Century crucifixion instruments as well as something to taste and smell. The second part of the presentation is on the Shroud of Turin. This is mostly an overview of the science and history of the Shroud, brought down to the level of the lay person. This section also uses several images to illustrate what is being said. In between the Crucifixion and the Shroud sections, a brief meditation slide show is presented to highlight the spiritual nature of the subject. Before and after the presentation, questions are welcomed, and visitors are allowed to browse and view the hands-on exhibit. Which features, above other things, plants from Israel that are believed to have been used for the crown of thorns, and an actual relic (piece of) the Shroud. Both of these items were generously donated to the exhibit. The presentation itself lasts one hour. More information on this presentation, including pictures of the exhibit, can be found at www.crucifixionshroud.com.

Equipment Requirements:

All of the equipment for this presentation is already owned, although, depending on location of the presentation, it is very helpful that the host have: a large screen, LCD Projector, and Sound equipment. Long tables for the exhibit are needed for any presentation.

Area of Country available for speaking:

Chris will travel anywhere, given adequate time for planning and scheduling. Depending on the location of the presentation, the exhibit might have to be limited due to traveling limitations.

Honorarium:

No fee is ever required. Where there is burdensome travel or lodging, those needs are expected to be met. Gift donations are accepted to help alleviate year-round expenses and improvements.

Contact:

Chris Knabenshue
E-mail: chris@crucifixionshroud.com
Website: www.crucifixionshroud.com
Posted March 17, 2006

John Loken

Biography:

John Loken has degrees in history and literature. An agnostic since the 1980s, he began researching the Shroud of Turin in the early 2000s and soon became persuaded of its probable authenticity as the actual burial shroud of Jesus. John's quietly published 2006 book The Shroud Was the Resurrection proposed the new theory that the serene and mysterious image of Jesus, naturally not supernaturally formed, was what inspired his followers with their belief in his resurrection. John still holds that view. Thomas de Wesselow's well-known 2012 book The Sign presented the same basic theory in greater detail, with minor differences.

John has also written two related articles: 1) "The Vision of King Abgar in Eusebius Considered as the Shroud of Turin" (2020, accessible on shroud.com), which explores the possible early history of the Shroud as suggested in the writings of the early Church historian Eusebius; and 2) "The Back of Jesus in Medieval Painting Compared with the Turin Shroud," an art historical approach which appeared in the Newsletter of the British Society for the Turin Shroud, Summer 2023 issue.

Scope & Content of Presentation:

John offers talks of 30 to 60 minutes, as preferred, with additional time for questions. His talks can cover one or more of three major points, depending on host/audience preference:

  1. The "macro" evidence for the Turin Shroud's authenticity (1st century, Jesus) which anyone can easily see
  2. The evidence for a natural formation of the image, not a medieval fabrication or supernatural creation
  3. The evidence that the natural image of Jesus could have been the inspiration for the belief in his supernatural resurrection
Other topics are also possible upon request.

Area of Country Available for Speaking:

U.S. Midwest and southern Ontario, or anywhere for radio interviews. Audiences that might best appreciate the talks include college/university groups and humanist/agnostic/atheist groups.

Equipment Requirements:

Podium, microphone, easel, table

Honorarium:

None required, though partial coverage of light travel expenses would be appreciated.

Contact:

lokenj@hotmail.com
1-734-358-3809 (USA)
Posted November 27, 2023

Martha A. May

Biography:

Martha A. May earned a bachelor's degree in Management from Purdue University in Indiana. After completing her MBA and working 10 years in manufacturing, she worked at Purdue as Senior Director of Buildings & Grounds for 15 years. She ended her career as Vice President of Operations for a Federally Qualified Health Center in Lafayette, IN. She has had a lifelong interest in the Shroud of Turin and following a trip to Turin for the 2015 exposition, she decided to pursue a formal education in the Shroud. In 2019, she completed a postgraduate degree in Shroud Studies from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostorum's Science and Faith Institute. In addition to the Holy Shroud, Martha speaks on the Sudarium of Oviedo after making a pilgrimage to see the holy cloth in 2019. She is a member of the American Confraternity of the Holy Shroud and the Holy Shroud Guild.

Scope & Content of Presentation:

Covers all relevant medical, scientific, archaeological and historical evidence relating to the Shroud of Turin. Content can be customized to the audience's interest. Depending on time available, the lecture can be 30 to 90 minutes in length, with time for questions from the audience.

Equipment Requirements:

Projector and screen for Power Point presentation; microphone and sound equipment if required.

Honorarium:

Expenses are negotiable based on travel.

Contact:

Martha A. May
2299 Flowering Crab Dr. E
Lafayette, IN 47905
E-mail: ShroudDiscovery@comcast.net
Phone: 765-427-1725
Facebook: @ShroudDiscovery
Posted August 31, 2022

Alfonso Muñoz-Cobo

Biography:

Born in Pamplona (Spain) in 1954, holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (Universidad Complutense de Madrid and the National Research Council (CSIC).

I felt attracted by the Shroud since the publication in National Geographic, back in 1980. From that moment, I read everything in my hands, but I did not get really involved till we moved to Rome for professional reasons. There I had the chance to study a one-year course (1995) directed by the Centro Romano de Sindonologia Giulio Ricci (at present Centro Diocesano) where I received the approach as "Catechista della Passione" that made me feel involved in lecturing. Today this course has grown up and is become a Post Degree University Course, taking place within Università Lateranense (Pope's University) in Rome.

I am a member of the Spanish Centro Español de Sindonología, and collaborate with activities (educational, lectures, round tables, exhibitions, TV programs) of the group within my area, in different settings (parishes, schools, state and private universities). I have published a few articles in specialised and general magazines (mostly LINTEUM, the official organ of the Spanish CES). (More complete Curriculum Vitae available in Spanish if required).

Scope & Content of Presentations:

I have usually been asked to lecture on the medical studies on the shroud, the medical-legal approach, and the relationship between the shroud and Gospels. Probably due to my background and personal interest, these are the subjects I would rather lecture on. I am a believer myself but have always approached the Shroud as a scientific subject, trying to update and summarise what rigorous scientific studies can tell us from all sources.

I have also lectured frequently on the history of the Shroud, the scientific approach to the Shroud and several subjects about the Sudarium of Oviedo, the Oviedo cloth (general overview, medical-legal study, the original research done by EDICES -Research Team of the Spanish Society of Sindonology- and the history of the Sudarium).

I have published on another subjects (history, art, personal experiences, events reports) and lectured in video sessions about the Sudarium of Oviedo and other relics. Usual duration of lectures 1 to 1 ½ hrs. with ½ hr. for questions.

Equipment Requirements:

Area available for speaking:

I could lecture in Spanish, but could also in English and Italian (mostly in post lecture colloquia). I consider Spain my natural environment to lecture. Other countries would mean more complexity (due to travelling time); but anything is possible with advanced notice.

Honorarium:

No fixed fee required. Host responsible for travel and lodging expenses. Time cost might be considered depending on the area for lecturing and personal tasks organization.

Contact:

Postal Address - Alfonso Muñoz-Cobo / Ventisquero de la Condesa,
13-5-2ºA / Madrid (28035), Spain
Telephone - 0034 91 7309965 (home)    0034 630 915653 (cellular)
E-mail - amcobo@telefonica.net

Updated May 10, 2009

David Onysko

Biography:

In 1983, David Onysko earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cleveland State University with a Master's in Education in 1991. After two decades of teaching, he is turning his full-time attention to Sindonology (the study of the Shroud). David's interest has led him to many scientific/theological conferences (St. Louis, Rome, Dallas, New York, etc.) Over the years, he has spoken to thousands about the Shroud of Turin, including international audiences. In April 1998, David and a world-wide press corps viewed the Shroud during a private 45 minute showing. In August 2000, David and his family traveled to Turin, Italy to see the image during the Shroud's Jubilee Exposition. He has been presenting the continuing story of the Shroud of Turin since the late 1980's.

Scope & Content of Presentation:

Equipment Requirements:

Honorarium:

Negotiable, depending on travel time, size of audience, etc.

Area of Country available for speaking:

Willing to travel, given adequate advance notice. Host is responsible for costs of travel, airfare, hotel/motel, and meals.

Contact:

David M. Onysko
3285 W. 44th St.
Clevland, OH 44109
Phone: 216-688-0040
Website: www.manintheshroud.org

Updated October 31, 2017

Doug Powell

Biography:

Doug Powell has a Masters Degree in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, where he was introduced to serious Shroud studies by Dr. Gary Habermas, one of his professors. He is the author of more than a dozen books on Christian Apologetics, including the Holman Quicksource Guide to Christian Apologetics (now published as The Ultimate Guide to Defending Your Faith). He has contributed articles to several study Bibles, and speaks on a variety of topics related to apologetics. In addition to apologetics writings, Powell is the author of the Graham Eliot series of novels centered on biblical archaeology, one of which, The Invisible Thread, features the Shroud of Turin. Powell has also had a career as a recording artist and songwriter, which includes contributing songs to two Alan Parsons records, which he also performs on. He has appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, CNN, and NPR.

Scope & Content of Presentation:

Equipment Requirements:

Honorarium:

Negotiable. Host is responsible for travel expense (including baggage fee for two checked bags) and hotel. Table for books to sell.

Area of Country available for speaking:

No restrictions. World-wide availability

Contact:

Email: doug@dougpowell.com
Phone: 615.202.6897
Website: www.DougPowell.com

Posted June 26, 2023

Ed Prior

Biography:

Ed Prior was a NASA space and atmospheric scientist with over 80 publications, reports, peer reviewed journal articles and presentations during his 15 year research career---which ended when he accepted a position on the NASA Senior Staff as Acting Chief Scientist (1981-2) at Langley Research Center, where he stayed in various positions for a total of 40 years. For more on his career, visit edwinprior.com.

His Shroud of Turin interest began when he saw its first television documentary as a child. He met or corresponded with scientists who've studied the cloth, as well as experts in imagery, textiles, ancient gospel codices, and forensic science. He co-authored several articles (see "Chronological History of the Evidence for the Anomalous Nature of the C-14 Sample Area of the Shroud of Turin." with Joe Marino) on the Shroud, which he viewed (with Barrie Schwortz) at the 2010 Turin Exhibition and has given Shroud presentations in Europe and America. Prior will discuss results of some investigations it has undergone, the similarities with another mysterious image (Britain's "Jospice Mattress"), and why he thinks modern science has still not identified the precise chemical/physical reactions that may have created one or both of them. He will also explain why he believes the 1988 Shroud carbon dating (1260-1390!) was flawed and needs to be carefully redone using more accurate carbon dating technologies unavailable 30 years ago---and using milligram-size Shroud samples rigorously selected to be free of contamination or possible medieval repair.

Prior has a separate but complementary interest in the owner of the True Shroud---Joseph of Arimathea---and has done extensive research on legends about him, including the traditions that he fled Judea to escape the Sanhedrin's retaliation for his assumed role in Jesus' disappearance. He wrote an invited 21-page article ("Joseph of Arimathea---Mystery Man of the Gospels") for a book by well-known British author Juliet Faith (Glastonbury, The Templars, and the Sovran Cloth) and gave several invited presentations about him in Glastonbury, where Joseph is the patron saint. In a review by Clive Prince in the Magonia Review of Books of two books about Joseph, Prince wrote, "Faith includes an article by Ed Prior…this is by far the best part of the book (in fact, of both books), as it is grounded in proper historical analysis and deduction."

Prior also has been researching the mysterious "Beloved Disciple", the first to see the Shroud (according to the Gospel of John), and believes that none of the 20+ candidates proposed by scholars over the past century (such as John of Zebedee, Andrew, Thomas, etc.) have stronger credentials to be that unnamed Disciple than one whose name has never been proposed: Levi Matthew. Prior has a separate presentation on this twenty century-old Christian mystery.

Prior has also studied the strange meeting between Jesus and a disturbed man named "Legion" that occurred on the shore of the Sea of Galilee (AKA "Swine Miracle") according to several of the gospels. This event is traditionally assumed to have happened near the town of Kursi. Prior concluded that the meeting actually happened at the town of Hippos/Sussita. After reviewing Prior's theory, Professor Mark Schuler, head of the American Excavation Team in Hippos, responded: "While a definitive answer is not possible, the following indicators are in the favor of Hippos/Sussita: Hippos is a polis---that technical language is used by gospel writers for the town from which the man with the name "Legion" came; a significant necropolis borders the main road into Hippos, aligning with the setting of the story; the bone profile of the site includes pigs (although these samples are from later periods); Hippos is more proximate to the sea than Gadara or Jerash; and, finally, Hippos is bordered to the north by a deep valley that could be the abyss mentioned in Luke 8:31." In a Biblewalks.com blog post, Dr. Schuler stated "Several weeks later we received a letter from Excavation Co-Director Dr. Michael Eisenberg of the University of Haifa. He recommended to review the site. Following his advice, we visited the site, one of the most important archaeological sites in the area. Our conclusion - Ed's theory of the (Hippos) location seems indeed to match the characteristics of the site."

Ed lives in Poquoson, Virginia. He lost the great love of his life, Margaret, in 2020 after 51 years of marriage. His son and wife live in North Carolina.

Scope & Content of Presentation:

Equipment Requirements:

Honorarium:

Host responsible for travel arrangements, expenses, hotel & meals; no honorarium required by speaker, but if one provided, speaker requests it be sent by the host as a tax-deductible contribution to STERA, Inc.

Area of Country available for speaking:

Southeastern USA preferred but will consider other areas & nations.

Contact:

Ed Prior
E-mail: okguy2@cox.net
Cell: 757-287-4880

Updated October 6, 2021

David Roemer

Biography:

David Roemer is a Shroud skeptic. He graduated from Fordham College in 1964 and from New York University in 1971 (Ph.D., Physics). The Church of England Newspaper, OrthodoxyToday.org, Insight Magazine, and Spero News have published his articles on science and religion. He produced a YouTube video titled "The Truth About Evolution and Religion." David Roemer is a member of the Christian Speaker Network. Here is a link to an interview with David on Marquis Who's Who Radio: https://marquisradio.com/2020/06/08/david-roemer (30:17).

Scope & Content of Presentation:

The talk will present the point of view expressed in his essay, "Why the Turin Shroud Is Not Authentic," which was published by Spero News on January 18, 2008.

Equipment Requirements:

None

Area of Country available for speaking:

Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey

Honorarium:

None

Contact:

David Roemer
345 Webster Ave Apt 4O
Brooklyn, NY 11230
Phone: 347-414-4122
Email: david@dkroemer.com
Website: http://www.dkroemer.com
View Shroud Slideshow at http://www.holyshroud.info

Updated June 21, 2018

Pete Schumacher

Biography:

Deacon Peter Schumacher delivered the VP-8 Image Analyzer in 1976 to John Jackson and Eric Jumper. They used it to prove the Shroud has 3D properties captured in the brightness of the image. Pete has been involved in Shroud research, teaching, and presentations ever since that encounter. Deacon Pete is founder of the Shroud Exhibit And Museum, Inc., a unique non-profit exhibit of the Shroud in a shopping mall and on the web at ShroudNM.com.

From 1972 to 1978, Pete was the production manager and field engineer for Interpretation Systems, Inc., manufacturer of the VP-8 Image Analyzer. He has developed and patented electronic equipment used for image processing, remote sensing, and video imaging since 1972. He continues to study the Shroud at the exhibit and museum in Alamogordo, NM, USA

Scope & Content of Presentation:

Topics may include science, technology, and the discoveries of facets unique to the Shroud. Topics can go further into reflections, faith-based encounters, and contemplation of the Shroud. Presentations may range in length from 45-minutes to a three-day retreat format. All can be scaled to meet your needs and objectives.

Equipment Requirements:

Area of Country available for speaking:

Most locations in the United States and Canada.

Honorarium:

Transportation, meals, and lodging for speaker, plus shipping of materials (if full-size image display is requested), plus free will offering and all proceeds from the donation-sale of items to support the exhibit and museum in Alamogordo, NM

Contact:

Phone 575-415-5206 and leave a message with return call information or
email to Pete@ShroudNM.com and put "Shroud Presentation" in subject line
For more information, see web site ShroudNM.com

Updated January 21, 2014

Barrie M. Schwortz

Biography:

Barrie Schwortz was the Official Documenting Photographer for the Shroud of Turin Research Project, the team that conducted the first in-depth scientific examination of the Shroud in 1978. Today, he plays an influential role in Shroud research and education as the editor and founder of the internationally recognized Shroud of Turin Website (www.shroud.com), the oldest, largest and most extensive Shroud resource on the Internet, with more than ten million visitors from over 160 countries. In 2009 he founded the Shroud of Turin Education and Research Association, Inc. (STERA, Inc.), a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, to which he donated the website and his extensive Shroud photographic collection, as well as many other important Shroud resources, in order to preserve and maintain these materials and make them available for future research and study. He currently serves as the President of STERA, Inc.

He is co-author of a Shroud book with Ian Wilson titled "Turin Shroud: The Illustrated Evidence," (September 2000). He has conducted Shroud lectures around the world and is frequently called upon as a leading imaging expert. He has participated in programs on the Discovery Channel, the Learning Channel, the History Channel, NatGeo, the Smithsonian Channel, the Sci-Fi Channel, CNN, CBS, NBC, PBS, BBC, Vatican Radio and the Focus Worldwide Catholic Television Network. His photographs have appeared in hundreds of books and publications including Time Magazine, Life Magazine and National Geographic and in countless television documentaries. He has written extensively on the Shroud and his many papers and articles can be found elsewhere on this website.

Barrie began his professional photographic career in 1971. He operated an award winning commercial photographic studio specializing in product, food, advertising, technical and editorial illustration for fifteen years and founded his first video production company, Educational Video, Inc., in May of 1978.

For fourteen years, Mr. Schwortz was an independent imaging consultant to the Laser Research and Technology Development Laboratory at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. In 1998, he wrote two digital imaging protocols that were accepted and approved for use in clinical trials by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He served as the Core Laboratory and provided all digital imaging services for one of these trials. He consulted and participated in imaging research projects with major universities, hospitals and medical device manufacturers and continued to produce presentations for the medical field until his retirement in 2010. His clients have included many of the largest corporations in the world and his presentations have been shown at major medical and scientific conferences worldwide and to the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

Scope & Content of Presentation:

Equipment Requirements:

Note that ALL presentations require a lecture hall or room that can be made dark enough to allow for proper viewing of the projected materials. This is essential for a quality presentation.

Area of Country available for speaking:

Virtual presentations available anywhere in the world.
Willing to travel almost anywhere given adequate advance notice, but is now doing fewer in-person presentations. Contact him by e-mail for details.
Host responsible for airfare, hotel, meals and all ground transportation

Honorarium:

Negotiable, depending on budget, distance, number and length of presentations given, size of organization, preparation required, etc. Please note that all payments are made directly to STERA, Inc., a non-profit corporation registered in the state of Colorado and a tax exempt public charity granted 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service. Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Contact:

Barrie Schwortz
President, STERA, Inc.
1094 Highland Meadows Drive
Florissant, CO 80816, U.S.A.
Phone: 719-689-2217
E-mail: bschwortz@shroud.com
Bio and Resume available at www.schwortz.com
This year's Lecture Schedule

Updated September 30, 2021

Larry Stalley

Biography:

Larry Stalley has been a pastor for forty years. He has degrees in Biblical languages and church history. He and his wife, Mary Beth, have done missionary work in China and have hosted several international students in their home. They raised three daughters. When Larry first learned about the Shroud of Turin, he was very much a skeptic. But he read something one day that sparked his interest. After in-depth research, he concluded the evidence for the authenticity of the Shroud is overwhelming. He believes the image on the cloth is the Father's witness to the Gospel story and His miraculous, gracious gift to every doubting Thomas.

Larry has authored five papers on the Shroud and the New Testament. These can be found online at the Ancaster Conference Page on www.shroud.com.

Larry was a speaker at the 2019 International Conference "Science, Theology, and the Turin Shroud" held in Canada. He built the website www.theincredibleshroud.com. He enjoys speaking on the Shroud to civic organizations, universities, church gatherings, apologetic seminars, and retreats. He very much desires to be used by God in making more people aware of its existence. The Shroud can be a wonderful aid in assisting people on their journey of faith (i.e., evangelism). Last year the Lord brought an atheist into his life, along with his young wife who was entirely Biblically illiterate. It wasn't long before the Holy Spirit was at work on their hearts. Both became believers and disciples of Jesus due largely to the impact the Shroud had upon them!

Scope & Content of Presentation:

Equipment Requirements:

Projector compatible with HDMI laptop and large screen for PowerPoint presentation (or I can furnish my own projector)

Area of Country available for speaking:

I reside on the west coast in Spokane, WA. However, I am willing to travel, given adequate notice.

Honorarium:

An honorarium or free-will offering would be appreciated

Contact:

Larry Stalley
8701 N Forest Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99208
Cell: (509) 828-0371
Email: larrystalley@yahoo.com
Website: www.theincredibleshroud.com

Posted January 21, 2020

Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson

Biography:

Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson was the official Recording Secretary for the Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP) in 1978 documenting the scientific analysis performed by the international team of scientists on the linen cloth believed to be the actual burial cloth of Jesus Christ. He was editor for The Proceedings of the 1977 United States Conference of Research on the Shroud of Turin, and his careers in the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force and Associate Professor of English at the United States Air Force Academy particularly influenced his life in science, education, lecturing and Shroud research. Dr. Stevenson has thus far co-authored and authored three published books on the subject of the Shroud: Verdict on the Shroud, The Shroud and the Controversy, and Image of the Risen Christ. For the past thirty years, while spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Pastor of Everlasting Covenant Church in New York, Florida and Everlasting Covenant Cathedral in his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, Dr. Stevenson has continued educating the public on the scientific properties and miraculously mysterious facts of the Shroud of Turin.

Scope & Content of Presentation:

Equipment Requirements:

Multi-media projector or video projector for Power Point presentation; microphone, and sound equipment.

Area of Country available for speaking:

Unlimited in the United States with sufficient advanced notice.

Honorarium:

Host assumes all travel, lodging and meal expenses.

Contact:

Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson
P.O. Box 155
Christmas, Florida 32709 USA
Phone: 845-505-5497
Email: eagleeye1015@gmail.com
Bio and Resume available at www.everlastingcovenant.wix.com/theshroud

Posted November 1, 2015

Fred Thornton

Biography:

Fred has been studying and researching the Shroud of Turin since he first became a practicing Christian in 1988. After many years of serious Bible study and Church leadership activities, Fred entered seminary completing his studies and training with a Bachelors Degree in Theology/Philosophy and moved on to pursue a Masters Degree in Divinity/Ministry, both from Andersonville Seminary. He was ordained to Christian ministry by Jesus Focus Ministries in Philadelphia PA in 2007 after serving in various leadership positions, such as Teaching Minister, and Associate Pastor for Jesus Focus Ministries as well as his home church. Fred's involvement with Jesus Focus Ministries, a para-church teaching ministry, inspired Fred to launch his own, similarly focused, para-church and interdenominational teaching ministry, called Heart of the Word. Through Heart of the Word Ministries Fred teaches a wide range of biblical and topical subjects to people of all denominational backgrounds. Among those subjects are his specialties, the Shroud of Turin as well as other Relics of the Catholic Church.

Fred has spent 31 years absorbing many books and other types media on the Shroud of Turin, as well as consuming many documentaries and other programs on the subject. Fred has also attended a number of lectures by other Shroud experts. As a result Fred has put together very interesting and informative presentations on the science, history, and forensics of the crucifixion and the Shroud of Turin. His presentations can be as brief as a single 75 minute overview, or multi-session in depth and detailed discussion on the Shroud. Fred has spent many years making presentations in four different states. He makes great efforts to keep the information he shares easily understandable as well as enlightening for all people, and occasionally humorous. Fred has made presentations in churches, parishes, organizations, fraternal clubs and other groups. His goal is to educate the public on the Shroud of Turin as well as strengthen the faith of Christians. He uses his background in Theology, Church History, and Philosophy to bring the science, the history, and the meaning of the Crucifixion of Jesus and the Shroud of Turin to life in a powerful and visual way.

Scope & Content of Presentation:

Fred's presentation is an enjoyable and educational presentation on the forensics of the Crucifixion and the much disputed Shroud of Turin. The presentation draws on Fred's past experience in ministry and public speaking to take the participant through the history of the Shroud, the process of crucifixion, and what the Shroud can teach us about Jesus' path to the cross. It utilizes PowerPoint slides as well as many pictures, videos, props, and replicas of first century crucifixion instruments. The briefer presentations are mostly an overview of the science and history of the Shroud, using several images and props as illustrations. Fred also tries to customize his presentations for his audiences and the time frame allotted. Presentations can include the following features and more.

After the presentation, questions are welcomed, and the audience is encouraged to view the exhibits and replicas, featuring among other things, the Crown of Thorns, Crucifixion Nails, Coins from the first century and a full size replica of the frontal image of the Shroud of Turin. For more information on presentations please feel free to contact Fred directly.

Equipment Requirements:

All of the equipment for this presentation is already owned by Fred, although, depending on the location of the presentation, if travel outside reasonable driving distance is required, it is very helpful that the host have: a large screen, LCD Projector or a large screen HDTV, and Sound equipment.

Area of Country available for speaking:

Fred will travel anywhere, given adequate time for planning and scheduling. If location of presentation is within Fred's home State of Florida he will travel up to 180 miles with no fee for travel expenses. For travel further than that, the Host is requested to cover costs of travel, airfare, hotel/motel, and meals.

Honorarium:

No fee is required. A free love offering is gratefully accepted and appreciated. Where there is burdensome travel or lodging, those needs are asked to be met by the host.

Contact:

Fred Thornton
Cell Phone, Call or Text: (610) 417-4173
Email: pastorfred@gmail.com
Website: www.heartoftheword.weebly.com

Posted November 6, 2019

Peter Wadhams

Biography:

Peter Wadhams is a professor at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at Cambridge University and has been interested for a long time both in the history of the Shroud and in the scientific questions concerning its nature and provenance. By profession he is a polar oceanographer who studies climate change effects on sea ice in the Arctic and Antarctic. He is a member of the Commission set up by the Diocese of Turin to assess scientific proposals for investigating the Shroud. He would be happy to give talks within the UK on the Shroud, either in general or in specific scientific terms.

Scope & Content of Presentation:

Equipment Requirements:

Honorarium:

No fee if the meeting itself is a non-commercial one.

Area of Country available for speaking:

Anywhere within UK. Host responsible for travel and incidental expenses.

Contact:

Peter Wadhams
DAMTP, University of Cambridge
E-mail: p.wadhams@damtp.cam.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 1223 760372

Posted January 21, 2011

J. R. Watts

Biography:

J.R. Watts is the founder of ShroudCodes.com (formerly the New York Shroud of Turin Society) and the author of the forthcoming book, "Shroud Codes in the Bible," a nonfiction book, which details Watts' discovery in 2013 of a vast array of hidden Shroud Codes in dozens of tantalizing hints and clues about Christ's image on the Shroud. J.R. Watts has a web site called, shroudcodes.com, in which he details how he used his experience as a government investigator, code breaker, cryptanalyst and Bible prophecy researcher to break a secret code in the New Testament, thus reverse engineering how these elusive Shroud Codes were formed in the first place, by the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, who used guile, clever cunning, ciphers and other forms of subtle deception in which to mask the medium in which the Shroud existed in, on a linen cloth.

This encrypted data, says Watts, was written by Jesus' disciples in their lifetime, in the first century, in the New Testament, which J.R. further states refutes the 1988 carbon dating tests, which falsely claimed the Shroud dated no later back to the Middle Ages. According to Watts' line of thought, if it can be proven Christ's disciples wrote about the Shroud in the Bible, then we will realize there never was any need for the Shroud to have ever been carbon dated to begin with.

Watts believes his research has proven the Shroud is that of the historical Jesus and that for the first time in the recorded history of Christianity, we now have documented evidence that Paul, Peter, John, Matthew, Luke, Mark and Jude all wrote subtle Shroud Codes in their various gospels, letters and epistles in the form of unusually repetitive patterns of data with key words that were actually ciphers, all pointing to the theme of the image of Jesus Christ in a very mystical but tangible way as well. J.R. Watts says that code breakers can see and detect things like strange patterns that people remain unaware of.

Scope and Content of Presentation:

J.R. claims that many Shroud Codes were cunningly devised by Jesus' disciples and then safely embedded in the new Testament by using word ciphers, cryptograms, cryptology and misdirection in key areas of the New Testament, enabling these mysterious codes to go unrecognized for over 2,000 years until J.R. felt led by God to conduct exhaustive research into this intriguing form of 1st century spy craft, applying his 25 years experience as a government investigator, as well as his 15 years experience as a code breaker and cryptanalyst.

Although J.R. Watts' website, shroudcodes.com, has detailed information about these codes, J.R. promises his forthcoming book, Shroud Codes in the Bible, will offer much more detailed information than what is seen on his website. Watts also plans to reveal some of the software he used to decipher many of the Shroud Codes, as well as displaying in the book a variety of charts, grids and other visually revealing graphics, which prove his point, with special emphasis on word camouflaging techniques, using disguised metaphors, neuro cognitive eye-brain functioning in relation to the detection of hidden patterns, data visualization, data text mining, cluster analysis, deduction, the connection between imagery and illusions & how misdirected sentence composure can intentionally result in optical deceptions, fooling human perception, allowing secrets to be conveyed in a safe manner in undetectable modes, such as in written bodies of texts, like the New Testament, which would have been the most logical choice for the disciples to hide the Shroud Codes in.

J.R. maintains that the disciples of Jesus would never have left this world without embedding their Scriptures without documented testimony and tell tale signs of the Shroud, albeit these many word clues and sly hints were their way of mentally drawing a jigsaw puzzle of the Shroud in deceptive language, which would have blinded their enemies to the truth of what they were conveying in their writings. Watts says the Shroud Codes were the New Testament's best kept secret, and as a result, so was the Shroud itself.

The disciples had no way of knowing if their hidden codes would ever be properly deciphered but apparently, says Watts, they held out hope that one day someone would come along & properly decode these secretive words, which J.R. suspects Joseph of Arimathea playing a role in since he was a shrewd attorney who would know how best to devise such cryptic writing. This kind of writing, Watts says, is known today as Steganography or Stego, for short. You Tube has college lectures on the subject that are very enlightening.

J.R. Watts also plans on producing a DVD documentary, based on his book about the Shroud Codes & is seeking a TV producer for the project, as well as a book publisher for Shroud Codes in the Bible. Watts offers free lectures to church congregations with a Power Point display, as well as a life size exhibit of Shroud of Turin replica images. J.R. also offers lectures to other groups as well, including organizations devoted to cryptologic research and intelligence gathering. Watts' lectures also entail data visualization methods, text mining, word frequency analysis and other related areas of code breaking, which helped him to hack into the secret code of the Shroud. J.R. is a member of the Pattern Recognition Society, the American Cryptogram Association, the International Association for Cryptologic Research, the Association of Former Intelligence Officers and the Association of Retired Law Enforcement Officers.

Equipment Requirements:

PA system, screen for Power Point display and area for exhibit of life size Shroud images.

Honorarium:

Free will offering for churches local to the New York City & New Jersey areas, travel & lodging expenses for gas & tolls. For churches out of our area and other interested groups, fees are negotiable depending on travel distance and expenses.

Area of country available for speaking:

Email us for details.

Contact:
J.R. Watts
Phone (718) 984-8517, cell (347) 937-4814
Email: shroudcodes@aol.com
Website: www.shroudcodes.com
Updated August 6, 2014

Cheryl H. White

Biography:

Cheryl H. White, Ph.D. is an academic historian of medieval and early modern Europe, and holds the rank of Associate Professor in the Louisiana State University system, where she has taught for over twenty years. She has published in the field of sixteenth century studies, church history, and has a long-standing interest in the Shroud of Turin as both a historical artifact of great interest to secular scholars but also as a holy relic of Christianity. She brings her expertise as a lecturer to systematically explore the consensus of current scholarship on the Shroud for broad-based audiences. She is a frequently requested speaker on a variety of topics, and references are available upon request.

Scope and Content of Presentation:
Equipment Requirements:

Projector compatible with HDMI laptop for Powerpoint presentation

Honorarium:

Negotiable, depending on travel time, size of audience, etc.

Area of country available for speaking:

I am willing to travel, given adequate advance notice. Host is responsible for costs of airfare, hotel/motel, and meals.

Contact:
Cheryl H. White, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of History
Louisiana State University
One University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115
Office: (318)-797-5353
Cell: (318)-465-2337
Email: Cheryl.white@lsus.edu
Posted June 5, 2017


Obtaining A Listing

To obtain a listing in this directory, review and use the same format as the above listings. Write the information about yourself that you would like to include. Forward it electronically, attached to an e-mail as a Microsoft Word document file (or on a CD-ROM disc if you prefer to send it by mail). You will also need to include a jpeg photograph of yourself as a separate e-mail attachment. Please send a full resolution file and we will take care of resizing it to fit the page.

Send it to the attention of Barrie Schwortz at bschwortz@shroud.com. There is a one time Listing Fee of US$25.00 to cover initial production and bandwidth costs. You can pay for your listing by sending a check made out to STERA, Inc. (drawn on an American bank or American branch of an overseas bank) or by using your credit/debit card via the Publication Rates section of the Secure Order Form page of the website. You may also order your listing by telephone using your credit card, but you will still need to submit your materials separately. If you wish to mail the materials, be sure to include your check or credit card information with your submission. Once published, you can simply send us update information by e-mail.

Submit your materials to:

Barrie Schwortz
STERA, Inc.
1094 Highland Meadows Drive
Florissant, CO 80816, U.S.A.
Phone: 719-689-2217
E-mail: bschwortz@shroud.com

The Shroud of Turin Website reserves the right to edit listings for brevity, clarity and accuracy.



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