Meet Our Faculty
Theology
Matt Marino, M.Div.
Ph.D. in Systematic Theology (ABD), Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Rev. Matt Marino obtained his B.A. in Philosophy and Apologetics from Trinity College in Newburgh, IN, his Master of Theological Studies from Columbia Evangelical Seminary in Longview, WA, and his Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL. He is currently completing his PhD program at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI, with a research focus on the role of reason and nature at the foundations of systematic theology. He has ABD status with an expected completion date of 2024.
Rev. Marino maintains a visible online presence with The Reformed Classicalist. This ministry exists to teach and pass on the historic Christian faith for the glory of God in all of life.
He serves as the Pastor of Grace Church in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (or ARP) in Winter Springs, Florida, where he also worked for Ligonier Ministries for a number of years. He is married to Emily and they have four children: Joshua, Hannah, Isabella, and Aiden.
Instructor of Languages
Carter Ehnis, M.A.
M.A., Applied Linguistics with concentration in Descriptive Linguistics (in progress), Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics at Dallas Int’l University
M.A. in Theology and Letters, New Saint Andrews College
Mr. Carter Ehnis is an experienced teacher from beginning to advanced Latin and Greek. Ehnis is particularly interested in the importance of comprehensible input as the foundation of language learning. In addition, he is interested in linguistics for the purpose of translating the Bible into languages. His undergraduate thesis immersed him into that process with an African people group.
Rhetoric, Classical Literature
Brian Phillips, Ed.D.
Ed.D. in Classical Education, Whitefield Seminary
Brian Phillips is co-founder and the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. He pastors Holy Trinity Reformed Church in Concord, North Carolina. He is the former Director of Training & Consulting at the CiRCE Institute, and taught Rhetoric at Belmont Abbey College.
Brian is the author/editor of several books, including Sunday Mornings: An Introduction to Biblical Worship, Classical Education: The Movement Sweeping America (3rd edition) by Gene Edward Veith and Andrew Kern, The Space Between: A Guide to the Iliad, The Journey Home: A Guide to the Odyssey, Tales of Wonder, and the Canon Classics guides to the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius and Dante’s Inferno.
Brian holds a B.A. in Pastoral Theology, a M.A. in Theological Studies from Liberty University (with additional work at Reformed Theological Seminary), a M.A. in Christian & Classical Studies at Knox Theological Seminary and an Ed.D. in Classical Education from Whitefield Seminary. He and his wife, Shannon, have two sons and two daughters.
Music
Ryan Smith, D.M.A.
D.M.A. in Music Performance, University of South Carolina
Ryan F. Smith is a co-founder and Chairman of the Board. He has spent his career in academia in both the classroom and in administration. Most recently he served as Fellow of Music and Director of Student Affairs at New Saint Andrews College. He previously was the Chairman of the Music Program at Coker University where he was a tenured professor.
As a musician, his performing career has taken him from Charleston to New York to Tacoma as both a soloist and collaborator. He is a performer, arranger, and recording artist. Recent performances include solo American music recitals and collaborative performances with tenor Cody Laun and cellist Cole Tutino. In his studio, he teaches late intermediate to advanced pianists with a strong emphasis on keyboard wellness. His academic work focuses on various aspects of Western classical music, American music, and Southern letters.