In the summer of 2010 I was a newly graduated Master of Fine Arts in Communications. I had a passion for culture, film, + writing, + wanted to teach. With the inkling of a calling, I approached a Christian University in Hawaii, hoping for a chance to be faculty. That summer, I taught a one-week course in Faith + Film + was hooked. The students were amazing, + I learned as much as they did. The following fall an opportunity to teach Bible + Pop Culture popped up, + thankfully, the administration took a risk- the rest is history.

Eleven years later, I'm in Mississippi, but my love for the class, students, + content is as strong as ever. By the prompting of a student, I find myself starting this new journey- attempting to articulate what I feel God is saying, while thoughtfully balancing my love for culture, the Bible, + art.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you, talking story about this mad world we live in. But even more, I'm looking forward to seeing God at work in you, through you, + talking about where you're seeing Him move in the culture.

Explore. Engage. Enjoy!

Our mission + passion are bridging the divide between faith + culture by dialoguing with all sides for open, transparent, + authentic discussions about the issues of our time. 

This magazine is our small effort within the bigger story to better hear each other’s perspectives by creating a safe place to endeavor in open efforts to understand all angles of a topic. Our hope is the restoration of unity + love as we journey through this thing called life. 

We post all types of content to engage ya'll! So, invite friends + family to the conversation! See you in the comments section!

Explore. Engage. Enjoy!

Meet our core team- a group of talented writers + artists- diverse geographically, theologically, artistically- in every way! We are committed to building community, engaging culture, + dialoguing with you on our site as well as on our various social media platforms. We look forward to growing as we provide opportunities for our communities to Explore. Engage. Enjoy!

Mia Burke

Our curator, Mia Burke hails from Pascagoula, MS. Mia grew up on a steady diet of literature, film, + music, giving her the bug to travel the world, which she did. She's most inclined towards Sci-Fi, New Wave, + is enjoying the current mood of the culture- revival of the retro ‘80s.

Her BA in English + MFA in Communications have come in handy in working as an editor + coach for blossoming writers as well as teaching university students the merits of humanities + writing. Her garden, adult children, grandson Finnley O, + writing help distract her from Mississippi’s hot humidity. Always up for a trip with her Doxie Ollie + husband Shawn, Mia's ultimate passion is teaching, discipleship, + helping others, adhering to the adage: "Only what's done for Christ will last." She's looking forward to engaging with you through this magazine!

Shawn Burke

Shawn, a retired US Air Force veteran, was born on the beautiful Gulf Coast in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Having traveled to nearly every corner of the globe while serving in the military, he is perpetually fascinated by culture + the people he has met along his journey. He pursued a bachelor's + master's degree in Aeronautical Science + is now serves alongside men + women in uniform as a meteorologist. 

In his free time, his passion is best expressed as a freelance photographer specializing in capturing landscapes, aerial drone footage as well as classic car photography. He has an affinity towards the beauty of the outdoors + all things coastal, + he and his wife Mia have served and taught in various capacities in groups + churches over the past twenty-five years. Their two adult children are married + serving in the military. They enjoy traveling in their RV, visiting their children + grandson Finnley, meeting new people, + exploring new places. You can follow his work at DubStop on Facebook or Instagram.

Sabeth Kapahu

Sabeth Kapahu is a wife to one, a mom to four, + a friend to many. She’s passionate about encouraging others through good words + solidarity. Sab’s naturally empathetic, loves to develop the potential in people (friends + strangers alike), + has a deep belief that we can live our best lives when we are daily seeking out our individual God-given purpose. She enjoys living through the following motto: “Life, wisdom + truth are meant to be shared;  sex, food + sleep are vital in marriage; + Jesus is King.” She can be found social media via:

Instagram @sabethkapahu or on Facebook: Sabeth Kapahu

Ayla Roback

Mama to a Spider-boy named Finn, two pups: Lilo + Daisy, + wife to Tommy. Ayla, an Air Force brat from childhood is now an Air Force spouse living in Northern California. A big fan of all the pop culture, she loves Disney, Studio Ghibli films, Game of Thrones, Wes Anderson movies, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Marvel, + Star Wars. *whew* She enjoys the occasional anime, casually playing League of Legends with friends, reality tv, movies of all genres (except action--sorry!); a wide range of music from the ’60s + beyond, baking up some goodies + reading new books of the mystery + fantasy genres. She loves all animals, especially llamas + alpacas. 

She enjoys a good cup of tea, feasting on some Korean BBQ, + spending time with her doggos, family, + friends. She has an Associate’s degree in Creative Arts. When she isn't mommin' or working at her day job (in retail), you can find her doodling on her computer, working on her passion: graphic design. You can check out her graphic design page on Instagram @ayllama_designs!

Marisa Buhr-Mizunaka

Marisa is a human + artist. 

Living in Honolulu with her husband Garett, they enjoy coffee + traveling to new places... to drink more coffee. Her primary mediums of art are photography, writing, watercolour, specialty coffee + human connection. The purpose of her life is to live an honest expression of Christ's grace, creativity + love.

Check out her photography portfolio at marisabuhr.com

Our web padawan, Art Director, + photographer, Meljun Picardal, shares his incredible eye + creative touch with media from Kyoto, Japan. Originally from Oahu, Hawaii, Mel serves in Japan, assisting churches + nonprofits with their websites, photography, + video needs.

He + his wife, Jeweliann, enjoy hiking + exploring Japan. In his free time, Mel cultivates his bonsai + captures the culture through his street photography.

You can explore his work at wanderkyoto.com.

Keegan Drummond.

Keegan Drummond was born in Tucson, Arizona + raised in Honolulu, Hawaii where he came to faith in Christ. He served in youth + young adult ministries for over ten years at New Hope Oahu, + along the way, met his wife Tehya. Keegan attended Pacific Rim Christian University in Honolulu where he graduated Magna Cum Laude + received his B.A. in Bible + Pastoral Ministry. During his schooling, he developed an interest in biblical interpretation, particularly Greek + exegetical studies. He + Tehya are currently living in Durham, North Carolina where he is pursuing a Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School.

Meet our Board of Directors- a diverse group of talented individuals from finance to theological perspectives to experienced leadership. This is the committed community seeking God's direction as they steer us into the future.

Jackie Bell

Our Board Chairman is Jackie Bell. Jackie serves as a Public Finance Professional with Bryant Miller Olive P.A., a Florida law firm specializing in representing governments, businesses, + agencies in legal matters relating to public finance, state + local government law, project finance, + litigation. Prior, Jackie spent more than fifteen years as a senior banker with a regional investment banking firm.  Her community service has included Leadership Pensacola, Leadership Florida, Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, American Cancer Society + Waterfront Rescue Mission. She was a founding member and chairman of Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies, an organization borne in response to the devastation to our community caused by Hurricane Ivan. Past awards include Emerging Leader of the Year (Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce), The President's Volunteer Service Award, National Hero Finalist + Sixth Annual Volvo for Life Awards.  

Although she works full time, she considers herself semi-retired, working from her home (most of that time in her pajamas).  She attends Community Life United Method Church with her husband + part-time pastor, Jim Bell. They live with their pup, Theo + enjoy traveling + being with their grandchildren every chance they get. Prior to becoming a Christian in 1998 at the age of 43, Jackie’s worldview did not include God + she considered herself, at best, an agnostic.  She believes her misunderstanding of the meaning of true Christianity was an obstacle to her embracing Christianity at an earlier age + is passionate about Bible + Pop Culture as a platform for bridging the divide for others between faith + culture.

Will Kapahu

William Kapahu, born + raised in Hawaii, is a graduate of Pacific Rim Christian College in Honolulu, HI with a B.A. in Bible + Pastoral Ministry + McMaster Divinity College in Ontario Canada with an MA Christian Studies, Old Testament. His fascination for the writings of authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien + C.S. Lewis along with his fondness for characters such as Allen Quatermain + Indiana Jones naturally translated to a love of Scripture + biblical languages after coming to Christ. He has had the privilege to teach classes ranging from biblical Greek + Hebrew to hermeneutics to the development + transmission of the English Bible.

He loves spending time with his wife + four kids; outside when it’s sunny, playing games + watching movies when it’s not. Will looks forward to blending his passion for Bible + Pop Culture with the experiences God has afforded him in leadership, to serve on the board.

Anita Smith

Anita Smith serves as Internal Auditor with the City of Tampa, providing independent assessment within the city. Prior, Anita spent five plus years in Washington D.C. as an auditor with the Department of Treasury in the Office of Inspector General + as a financial + budget liaison for grants management program with the City of Gaithersburg, giving budgeting advice on the equitable disbursement of funds to programs addressing homelessness, food security, medical care, skills training + mental health.

 Anita recently transitioned to the Tampa Bay area + is looking forward to spending more time writing a children’s book + being on the hunt for a new church. She enjoys travel + absolutely adores her twin grandchildren Eli + Analise. Anita feels called to Bible + Pop Culture as a writer, “in order to share my voice with those that may feel there is more to say about faith + our journeys” as well as our financial advisor + accountant in order to share her accounting expertise to help build a solid foundation for our magazine + ministry.

Dr. Martha Stinton

Martha Stinton, a California girl, attended high school in Long Beach and graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art History. She received her Master’s degree in Biblical Studies from Dallas Seminary, where she met her husband, Rick. She earned her Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Seminary, with a focus on women’s leadership in the church.

Martha is a retired Academic Dean at Pac Rim Christian University, + currently enjoys teaching at the college.  She is passionate about women leaning into their gifting + calling with confidence, + communicating the history of women’s faith + leadership in the church. Combining her love for art history + the Bible, she has a natural penchant for topics of faith + culture. Martha + Rick’s ever-expanding family includes four married sons + five grandchildren. Martha notes that, “Christian art through the ages has had a profound impact on the culture. My desire is to see Bible + Pop Culture reignite Christ’s influence our communities.”

Paul Stinebiser

Paul Stinebiser is originally from Irwin, Pennsylvania but is now a resident of Navarre, FL. He has been married to his beautiful wife Dayna for fifteen years, + they have one thirteen-year-old daughter, Ella. Paul earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Hawaii Pacific University in Business Administration + received his Masters of Art in International Relations from the University of Oklahoma.

Paul is currently a Financial Advisor + is a 26-year Air Force veteran. In his free time, Paul enjoys woodwork, yard work, + riding his motorcycle.

David Collins

Pastor David Collins hails from Warner Robins, GA + after graduation, attended Mercer University's music school before joining the US Air Force. He is a retired non-commissioned officer + currently serves as Pastor at New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Valdosta. David is also an accomplished saxophonist who has shared his gift all over the world. He holds a B.S. in Behavior Science from Bellevue University + is currently pursuing a Masters of Social Work from Rutgers University. David and his wife, Ashlei, are active in youth and young adult ministry at Valdosta State University + founded Broken4This (#Broken4This) found on Facebook, YouTube, + Instagram.

When David and Ashlei aren’t in the ministry field, they enjoy Akira, their rescue dog, a Shiba mix that they adopted while stationed in Japan. As for his involvement in BibleandPopCulture, David serves on the Board, noting, “I believe the Bible is alive and relevant today. I want to help illuminate how God’s word applies to our everyday lives, and BibleandPopCulture affords me the opportunity to dialogue about this with the magazine’s community.”