Matthew Burford

ABD Ph.D. candidate in Ecclesiology with over 10 years of experience in Christian higher education, including teaching apologetics, philosophy, theology, and faith integration at undergraduate and graduate levels. Founder and President of Tactical Faith, a nonprofit organization cultivating public-facing Christian intellectual life through events, media, and ecumenical dialogue. Proven track record in scholarly contributions, organizational leadership, curriculum development, fundraising, grant-related resource acquisition, and building strong connections among leading voices in Christian theological scholarship and vocational formation. Demonstrated success in supervising staff, managing budgets, developing external relations with national scholars, denominational partners, and institutions, and aligning initiatives with faith-based strategic goals. Eager to serve as Executive Director of the Mann Institute for Christian Faith and Learning, providing executive leadership to develop strategic plans, ensure synergy with Samford University's Fidelitas plan, oversee scholarship programming, secure and administer grants, foster relationships with granting foundations and partner organizations, and advance the integration of Christian faith with academic excellence and vocational exploration.

(Representative highlights drawn from a far broader portfolio of Tactical Faith initiatives and related roles spanning more than thirteen years. These examples illustrate executive leadership in scholarship programming, external relations with national and international scholars and institutions, ecumenical dialogue, curriculum development, and the sustained integration of Christian faith with intellectual, cultural, and vocational formation. Countless additional lectures, workshops, preaching engagements, podcasts, and community events have been conducted in churches, campuses, conventions, and associations throughout the Southeast and beyond.)

• Organized and moderated events featuring Justin Brierley and Martin Shaw (September–November 2025), including "The Surprise Rebirth of Belief in God" (September 4, 2025; Northpark, Birmingham) and "Wild Faith: The Rebirth of Belief in God and the Search for a Better Story" (November 2, 2025; Samford University, Reid Chapel; co-hosted under Inspirit Dialogues), exploring cultural narratives, faith renewal, imagination, and meaning in a fragmented age.
• Led "A Church That Seeks Truth," a 9-week Sunday night apologetics series (February 2025 onward; First Baptist Montgomery), focusing on loving God with heart, soul, and mind through faithful witness and intellectual engagement.
• Coordinated the WorldView Academy 2025 one-day intensive (July 19, 2025; Samford University, Cooney Hall 200; co-hosted with Samford’s Core Text Program), themed "The Old Myth and the New," examining myths in Scripture, classical literature, and fairy tales to address contemporary cultural formation.
• Hosted Paul Kingsnorth (October 18, 2024; Samford University) for "Resisting the Machine," addressing technology's impact on attention, culture, and human formation; included preparatory interviews and ecumenical dialogues.
• Hosted Dr. Jason Baxter (February 2023; Birmingham) for "An Event with Deeper Magic," exploring medieval imagination and its influence on C.S. Lewis.
• Organized the Hope Conference (January 20, 2023; Raleigh Ave Baptist Church, Homewood, AL), featuring apologetics training and a screening of Lee Strobel’s A Case for Heaven documentary.
• Hosted Rod Dreher and Dr. Peter Leithart (April 2021; Birmingham) for a dialogue on cultural renewal and theological engagement, tied to Dreher’s Live Not by Lies.
• Conducted a three-day tour with Professor Eleonore Stump (November 2017; UAB and St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Birmingham), centered on philosophical theology and the relationship between faith and reason.
• Led "A Muslim and Christian Perspective" (September 2017; Birmingham; partnering with Evangel Presbyterian Church and Mountain Chapel UMC), addressing democracy, Islam, and interfaith dialogue as part of the Tactical Faith: Conversations series.
• Delivered guest lectures, preaching, and apologetics training at various Alabama Baptist churches, Baptist student centers, and denominational venues (2018–2022), incorporating curriculum development and worldview formation sessions.
• Partnered with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (2012–2013) to live-stream Greer Heard Forums on theological debates and apologetics.
• Co-organized the SALT Conference (2012–2013; with Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and First Baptist Montgomery), a multi-day apologetics event for adults and youth.
• Preached and taught on resurrection evidence in "He is Risen" (circa 2014; reposted and referenced 2023) and related topics at conferences, churches, and streamed events.

• Paul Kingsnorth Interview (October 2024). Preparatory conversation with author Paul Kingsnorth on technology, attention, cultural formation, and resisting mechanistic influences; tied to the "Resisting the Machine" event at Samford University. Available on SoundCloud and tacticalfaith.com.
• Rod Dreher Interview (September 9, 2024). Discussion with Rod Dreher on cultural renewal, wonder, and his book Living in Wonder; preparatory for Alabama book launch and related events. Available on tacticalfaith.com/podcasts.
• What is the Orthodox Church? (August 15, 2024). Interview with Fr. Gregory on Orthodox theology, tradition, and ecumenical perspectives. Available on tacticalfaith.com/podcasts.
• Shroud Update with Doug Powell (August 28, 2024). Update and discussion with Doug Powell on the Shroud of Turin and historical apologetics evidence. Available on tacticalfaith.com/podcasts.
• Why Do We Need Counseling? (Date circa 2022–2024). Interview with Eric Venable on the role of counseling in Christian life and spiritual formation. Available on tacticalfaith.com/podcasts.
• Interview with Neal C. Evans, Jr. (September 7, 2022). Return-to-podcasting episode with Neal C. Evans, Jr. (Chief Technology Officer, Help Lightning), exploring technology, faith, and vocational integration. Available on tacticalfaith.com/podcasts.

• Secured donations, sponsorships, and investor funding for Tactical Faith events and initiatives, enabling programs focused on faith integration, apologetics, and vocational training.
• Managed fundraising for Fighting Cancer Network, demonstrating success in resource acquisition for mission-driven projects.
• Oversaw budget and resource management in leadership roles, with a track record of sustainable financial oversight in nonprofit and educational contexts.

• Featured in Sean McDowell (ed.), A New Kind of Apologist: Adopting Fresh Strategies, Addressing the Latest Issues, Engaging the Culture (Harvest House, 2016), with dedicated attention to approaches emphasizing humility and servant leadership in apologetics.
• Interviewed and hosted countless scholars and public intellectuals including by not limited to Dr. Eleonore Stump (philosophical theology), Paul Kingsnorth (technology and attention), Rod Dreher (cultural renewal), Dr. Jason Baxter (C.S. Lewis and medieval imagination), Fr. Gregory (ecumenical dialogue on tradition and formation), Dr. Craig Keener (Theology and Missions), Dr. Dan Wallace (New Testament manuscripts), and others.
• Hosted public lectures and moderated conversations connecting local communities with expert voices across churches, campuses, and classical schools, fostering networks in faith-learning integration and vocational formation.

• Burford, Matthew, et al. “How to Share the Gospel with an Atheist.” Radical, June 8, 2020.
• Burford, Matthew. “Transparency.” Evangelize Alabama, January 6, 2022.
• Burford, Matthew. “Three ‘Ts’ of Evangelism: Part One...Truth.” Evangelize Alabama, July 13, 2021.

• Bugles Across America, Volunteer Bugler and Alabama Assistant State Director, AL, 2000, Present, Provided live performances of "Taps" at military funeral honors across Alabama and neighboring regions for over 26 years, honoring veterans with dignity and reverence in lieu of recorded versions; served as Assistant State Director for Alabama since approximately 2022, coordinating volunteer recruitment, awareness efforts, and state-level operations to ensure every eligible veteran receives a live bugle salute.
• Real Taps for Real Heroes, Founder and Director, 2022, 2023, Established and lead this awareness and recruitment program to address the declining number of volunteer buglers in Alabama; focused on engaging young musicians (particularly high school and college trumpet players), connecting families with performers, and preserving the tradition of live "Taps" at veterans' funerals; expanded efforts through public campaigns, media features (including on the front page of the New York Times Veterans Day 2025), and performances at historic sites such as American cemeteries in Normandy and Brittany, France.
• Sons of The American Legion, Member, Active member of this national organization (founded 1932), comprising male descendants of U.S. military veterans eligible for The American Legion; contributes to programs honoring veterans' service and sacrifice, promoting patriotism, supporting community outreach, and advancing initiatives for veterans, military families, and youth.