We have been contemplating expanding our number of contributors for several months. This weekend, we finally pulled the trigger. Our two newest contributors are no strangers to our readers.

Alvin Reid teaches evangelism at Southeastern Seminary. Alvin is the author of numerous books, including the recently-published The Convergent Church: Missional Worshipers in an Emerging Culture (Kregel, 2009), which he co-authored with SEBTS ethicist Mark Liederbach. Alvin is also a popular conference speaker and evangelist, preaching to groups ranging from high school students to state Baptist conventions. Alvin is of course the author of yesterday’s popular article, “I Have a Problem,” which, if our email inboxes and Alvin’s Facebook comments are any indication, resonated with 99.4% of everyone who read it.

J. D. Greear is the pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. J. D. is widely considered to be one of the leading younger pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention. He is also a former IMB missionary and the author of the forthcoming book Breaking the Islamic Code. Now we know what you are probably thinking: isn’t Between the Times a Southeastern faculty blog? What’s up with J. D.? Well, we have good news for you. J. D. has a Ph.D. in systematic theology and teaches adjunctively at Southeastern. Plus, he’s a two-time SEBTS alum of whom we are particularly proud. So we decided if we squint at J. D., he looks kind of like a professor, so we invited him to join in the fun.

We are thrilled that Alvin and J. D. have joined us. Even more important, all Southern Baptists are blessed that they are co-laborers in pursuit of a Great Commission Resurgence.