Jonathan had the inestimable privilege of being raised in a Christian home and accepting Christ as his Savior at a young age. During childhood he lived in 5 states, but his deep roots in North Dakota make that his home state. Early in adulthood Jonathan enlisted in the Marine Corps which was a profoundly formative season, helping to establish and deepen his faith in God as well as to give him direction for career opportunities. While living in Minnesota he met his wife, Lianna, and they have 4 children together. In 2015 Jonathan and his family moved to Cheverly, where he works for DHS. They have been CBC members since 2018, and this local body of believers has been a tremendous blessing in the lives of Jonathan and his family. Jonathan enjoys his day-to-day work and serving in the church, but when he is not doing that he loves to be with his family and enjoys hiking, biking, riding his moped named Sojourner, and trying to run the hills of Cheverly.

Jonathan Leeman is the editorial director for 9Marks. After doing undergraduate and graduate degrees in political science, Jonathan began his career in journalism where he worked as an editor for an international economics magazine in Washington, D.C. Since his call to ministry, Jonathan has earned a Master of Divinity and a Ph.D. in theology and worked as an interim pastor. Today he edits the 9Marks series of books as well as the 9Marks Journal and is the co-host of Pastors Talk. He has written for a number of publications and is the author or editor of a number of books. Jonathan is married with four daughters and teaches adjunctively at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Reformed Theological Seminary.

Ryan was born in Louisiana, then moved to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, which he calls his hometown. God saved Ryan as a teenager through an evangelistic youth ministry of First Baptist Church where he was patiently discipled through the faithful service of men in the church, youth choir, and multiple ministry opportunities. Ryan graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in 2002, where he met his wife, Angela. After college, Ryan and Angela spent a few years in East Asia before Ryan went to law school at Seattle University School of Law. Ryan and Angela started their family in Seattle and have three children. Since graduating from law school, the Paynes have had the privilege of living in England and North Dakota before settling in Maryland. Ryan is grateful to serve as an elder at CBC. He also enjoys football, coffee, and hikes with his family.