Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the Ministries of BHIM®?
2. What is Unique About BHIM®?
3. Who is an Apologist?
4. Why Train Students to be Apologists?
5. Who is Bob Hartman?
6. How can I reach BHIM®?

What are the Ministries of BHIM?

• Sponsoring on-site training for college students in Christian apologetics -- BHIM® offers training in Nashville, Tennessee. Large groups stay in nearby lodging. Schedule your students for training on weekends or during a school break. For information about on-site seminars, contact BHIM®.
• Offering Christian apologetics seminars for college students -- BHIM® sponsors seminars in Christian apologetics on college campuses both in the United States and abroad. For information on how to schedule a seminar, contact BHIM®.
• Sponsoring mission trips to former Soviet Union countries -- BHIM® sponsors a number of mission trips to former Soviet Union countries. These trips are combined with training in Christian apologetics. For details, contact BHIM®.

What is unique about BHIM? Currently there are an estimated thirteen million college students in the United States*. Over four million are part-time students; the remainder are full-time. The target group for BHIM® is full-time students. Research indicates that, in addition to churches, four major Christian groups target college students. However, none of these groups work exclusively with college students.

A number of denominations sponsor some ministry with college students. Research indicates that the strongest denominational campus ministry with college students reaches just under 250,000 students annually.

Many Christian groups minister to college students in some way. Also, most Christian groups are experiencing a growing interest in apologetics. However, our research did not surface any group that primarily deals with apologetics for college students.

Therefore, BHIM® is unique in that it ministers primarily to college students in the area of Christian apologetics.


Who is an Apologist? Firstly, a definition of apologetics is in order: Apologetics is the presentation of the truth claims of the Christian faith as found in the Scriptures. These truth claims are presented in a way that shows how they meet the deepest needs of individuals. Christian apologetics shows that biblical faith is the only approach to life that matches reality and that works when applied to life.

So who is an apologist?
Apologists are persons who are deeply committed to what they believe and are always ready to explain these beliefs to others. Christian apologists are those whose lives have been so radically changed by Christ that they cannot help but bear witness to the transformation that has taken place. Apologists listen carefully to those around them to understand others' deepest needs and questions. Apologists then show others how God, as revealed in the Bible, can meet their needs and answer their questions.

True Christian apologists approach others not from a position of superiority, but from a position of love and authentic, sacrificial self-giving. Because Christian apologists have experienced the life-changing power of Christ, their deepest desire is to share Christ with others so they too can know Him in a personal way.

Why Train Students to be Apologists? First, because the Bible clearly tells us to prepare our finest young adults to share Christ. Christ directly commissions us to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Paul tells us to pass on what we have been given to faithful witnesses (2 Timothy 2:2).

Second, in the 21st century, the college campuses of America are some of the best mission fields in the world. The old philosophy of humanism, which has no place for God, is just echoing the dead orthodoxy of a past generation. Today's college students are too smart to buy into such a narrow approach to life because it does not match reality. However, they are confused about spiritual reality. They do not know if they believe in resurrection or reincarnation. They wonder if morals are relative or absolute. They wonder if spiritual principles exist that apply to all individuals and all cultures or if most spiritual truths are relative. We, as Christian leaders, need to equip our students to effectively share Christ with their peers.

Third, we have a whole world to reach for Christ. We live in a world community where many different approaches to life compete for a person's allegiance. We need to train our sharpest students to be apologists so they are equipped to move into the marketplace of the world ready to bear witness to Jesus Christ.

Who is Bob Hartman?

Bob Hartman has worked with college students all of his professional life. For eighteen years, Bob served as a national leader with his denomination in the area of collegiate ministry. Among his responsibilities were recruiting, training, and placing student ministers on college campuses. He developed collegiate ministry strategies that involved local, state and national leaders. In coordination with various boards and agencies, he developed and implemented his denomination's evangelism strategy with college students. During these years as a national leader, Bob saw a pressing need for Christian apologetics on college campuses. In 1998 he established a ministry to concentrate solely on presenting the truth claims of the Bible to 21st century college students. Thus, Bob Hartman International Ministries was established.

Bob lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Sandy. They have two married children, Susan and Robert, and four grandchildren.

How can I reach BHIM?
Write us at:
Bob Hartman International Ministries
P.O. Box 210203 Nashville
TN 37221

Phone, Fax and Email:
Phone: 615-662-8400
Fax: 615-662-2304
You can also contact us by clicking here.