About John Topliff

John Topliff received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and his master’s of divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois. He recently completed the doctor of ministry program in Christian Spirituality at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. He works for Zondervan.

John and Debby have another website at www.fireflylife.com.

A few things not many people knew about John (until now):

Won 6th grade marbles competition left-handed

Likes to eat pie for breakfast

Taught himself to play golf in high school while earning money as a caddy

Failed Spanish 101 more than once — but went on to learn Greek and Hebrew.

Met Debby on a blind date and impressed her with his mastery of the boogaloo.

Does a mean imitation of Donald Duck.

Put himself through college and seminary working graveyard shift at Saginaw Steering Gear and as aide for conservative Republican friend-of-the-family US congressman.

Became a Christian while driving south on I-75 with the northern lights to the east, a partial eclipse of the moon to the west, and Billy Graham on the radio

Worked for $3 an hour as an orderly in a nursing home after receiving his master’s degree (Debby says, “Great training for any husband and father.”)

Has worked in Christian bookselling, distributing, and publishing for 30 years.

Pulled off one-day excursion for 50 booksellers during CBA Convention-via airplane-from Atlanta to Brooklyn Tabernacle in NY and back again

Shot an eagle at Mullett Lake Country Club (but not yet a hole-in-one)

Tries to be in his pajamas every night by 8:30

Embarrassed to be seen driving father-in-law’s (very gracious gift of his) hand-me-down BMW

Overcame fear of heights at age 58 by scaling 39-foot wall at Rock’n and Jam’n climbing gym in Denver

Favorite CDs include Sufjan Stevens, Rick Beerhorst, and Chanticleer.