Welcome to CSLI Chicago
Discover how discipleship is changing lives in Chicago.
Applications for the Fellows Program are now closed.
We are no longer accepting fellows' applications, please email us if you have any questions or concerns.
Year One Fellows Program
Instructions: New APPLICATIONS ARE NO LONGER BEING ACCEPTED. Please note that unless otherwise indicated you are required to have two recommendation forms, one from your pastor or ministry leader AND one from a non-related person who knows you well. To learn more about the Fellows Programs, please click here.
To share the recommendation link with your pastor/ministry leader and friend, simply click on the Recommendation button under the relevant program, copy the link, and paste it into an email to send to your recommender. Unless otherwise noted, your application package will not be complete until we receive both recommendation forms along with a completed application.
The C.S. Lewis Institute in Chicago is designed to develop disciples who can articulate, defend, share and live faith in Christ in public and personal life. The Institute works in partnership with local churches and ministries to help believers glorify God by becoming mature disciples of Jesus Christ who impact the spheres of influence to which God has called them.
The Fellows Program
The CSLI Fellows Program offers a year of intensive training that leads to significant life-change. Unlike many discipleship programs, the Fellows program focuses on discipleship of both heart and mind. It involves Bible study, classic readings, lectures, group processing, personal spiritual mentoring and accountability — all in the context of a small group of like-minded believers. This year-long program is designed for those who want to live as fully committed disciples of Jesus Christ and make an impact for him in the world.
Download the Fellows Program Brochure
IMPORTANT DATES:
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0 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 29292 LOCAL EVENT: Abiding in His Presence with Dr. Tom Schwanda (Chicago) 9:00AM CT https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=local-event-abiding-in-his-presence-chicago-900am-ct&event_date=2026-08-15®=1 https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr 2026-08-1515 Aug, 2026Saturday, 9:00 am - 11:30 am UpcomingThe Kilns Coworking + Social House, 115 W Wesley St, Wheaton, IL 60187, USA
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0 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 21646 LOCAL EVENT: The Eagle & Child Society (Chicago) 7:00 PM CT https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=local-event-the-eagle-child-society-chicago-700-pm-ct&event_date=2026-08-21®=1 https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr 2026-08-2121 Aug, 2026Friday, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm UpcomingThe Galway Arms, 2442 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL, USA
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0 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 25547 STUDY PROGRAM: In the Footsteps of the Apostles (Turkey & Greece) https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=biblical-study-program-in-the-footsteps-of-the-apostles-turkey-greece&event_date=2026-09-12®=1 https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr 2026-09-1212 Sep, 2026September 12, 2026 3:00 pm - September 26, 2026 9:00 am Upcomingİstanbul, Türkiye
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0 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 29339 LOCAL EVENT: Did Jesus Claim to Be God? (Chicago) 7:00PM CT https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=local-event-did-jesus-claim-to-be-god-chicago-700pm-ct&event_date=2026-09-18®=1 https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr 2026-09-1818 Sep, 2026Friday, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm UpcomingWinnetka Bible Church, 555 Birch St, Winnetka, IL 60093, USA
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0 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 28814 STUDY PROGRAM: Wonder | Word | Worship (Tour of Kenya) https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=study-program-wonder-word-worship-kenya&event_date=2027-06-11®=1 https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr 2027-06-1111 Jun, 2027June 11, 2027 3:00 pm - June 22, 2027 9:00 am UpcomingKenya
VIEW OUR FULL CALENDAR BY MONTH.
Broadcast Talks
A quarterly publication that presents ideas to cultivate Christ-like thinking and living.
Challenging Questions
Each month an important question about faith is addressed by a key scholar or leader.
Knowing & Doing
Featuring teaching articles from nationally recognized leaders in discipleship, spirituality, theology, apologetics, and cultural analysis.
Spiritual Check-Up
A tool for assessing one's growth in Christ
Bible Reading Plan
Read through the whole Bible using a plan that has been helpful to many people connected with the Institute.
Our free Resource Library
Offers a variety of recordings from nationally recognized speakers, and our growing audio, video and print library. Featuring free content from past seminars, including names like John Stott, Greg Ogden, J.I. Packer and Chuck Colson.
Give Today!
The discipleship ministry of the C.S. Lewis Institute is made possible through your financial gifts, prayers and volunteerism. It can't be done without your partnership in this ministry.
Chicago Staff
Karl “KJ” Johnson
CSLI City Director, ChicagoKarl “KJ” Johnson, Lt.Col., USMC (Ret.) is the Director of the C.S. Lewis Institute in Chicago where he oversees…
Team Members
Karl “KJ” Johnson
CSLI City Director, ChicagoKarl “KJ” Johnson, Lt.Col., USMC (Ret.) is the Director of the C.S. Lewis Institute in Chicago where he oversees programs that foster the discipleship of heart and mind. He’s been a C.S. Lewis Fellow since 2008 and holds a Masters in Military Studies (Marine Corps University) and two Masters of Arts from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Systematic Theology and Philosophy of Religion). KJ retired after 20 years in the Marine Corps where he served as a helicopter pilot, operations officer, and weapons and tactics instructor. He’s a veteran of numerous deployments as well as multiple humanitarian assistance/disaster relief missions—most notably Operation Unified Assistance (2004 tsunami) where he served as the Air Mission Commander for former Presidents George H.W. Bush and William J. Clinton.
Eric C. Redmond
Professor, Teaching Fellow CSLI ChicagoEric C. Redmond is a Teaching Fellow for the C.S. Lewis Institute in Chicago. He is the John M….
Team Members
Eric C. Redmond
Professor, Teaching Fellow CSLI ChicagoEric C. Redmond is a Teaching Fellow for the C.S. Lewis Institute in Chicago. He is the John M. Perkins Endowed Chair of Christian Community Development, Biblical Justice, Reconciliation, and Interpretation of Scripture at Moody Theological Seminary where he also serves as Professor of Bible and Theology, Professor of Preaching, and the Executive Director of the Center for Compelling Biblical Preaching. He holds degrees from Capital Seminary & Graduate School (PhD, 2019) and Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM, 1997), and Washington Bible College (BA, 1991). Dr. Redmond is the author, editor, and contributor of numerous books, chapters, and articles. Most recently, he is the author of Stories on the Way to the Kingdom: Interpreting and Applying Biblical Narratives (Baker Academic, 2027) and The Completed Work of Christ in John 17:4: An Interpretive Key for Reading the Fourth Gospel (Pickwick, 2025). He is also a Fellow of the St. Augustine Cohort for the Center for Pastor Theologians. His wife, Pamela, is a commissioned C.S. Lewis Fellow and mentor; they enjoy leading small groups and serving young adults.
Rachel Smiertka
Fellows Program Coordinator, CSLI ChicagoRachel Smiertka serves with the Chicago branch, supporting administrative efforts and contributing to the mission through her organizational skills…
Team Members
Rachel Smiertka
Fellows Program Coordinator, CSLI ChicagoRachel Smiertka serves with the Chicago branch, supporting administrative efforts and contributing to the mission through her organizational skills and heart for service. She has worked with multiple nonprofit organizations, gaining experience in operations and administrative support. Rachel participated in the C.S. Lewis Institute Fellows Program, completing both Year 1 and Year 2, where her faith and commitment to discipleship were further strengthened. Born and raised in Illinois, Rachel now lives in Chicago’s West Loop with her husband. She is actively involved in her church community at Moody Church, where she enjoys serving and volunteering. In her free time, Rachel loves hiking and reading. She is passionate about loving God and desires to spend her life faithfully serving Him.
Contact Us
C.S. Lewis Institute
Chicago
1433 W. Leland Ave. #1
Chicago IL 60640-4673
Email: kj@cslewisinstitute.org
Phone: (312)543-3222
Newsletters
Receive our Newsletters
Sign up to receive publications and updates from the C.S. Lewis Institute in Chicago.
Brochures
Overview Brochure
The C.S. Lewis Institute offers life-changing discipleship for those who are ready to be intentional about spiritual growth in Christ, and who desire for God to use them in powerful ways for His Kingdom. Read more. . .
Pastors Network
Join the Pastors Fellowship
The C.S. Lewis Institute desires not only to assist churches in making disciples, but also to encourage and equip pastors. The C.S. Lewis Institute Pastors Fellowship in Chicago seeks to minister to the ministers by providing timely and useful teaching and instruction via a series of luncheons. Please contact us at kj@cslewisinstitute.org to be informed on Pastors Fellowship gatherings.
Testimonials
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Recent Podcasts
The Life and Ministry of Tiyo Soga
by Aimee Riegert, David B. Calhoun on August 7, 2026Discover the remarkable story of Tiyo Soga (1829–1871),...Read More
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Taking Religion Seriously – Dr. Charles Murray’s Story
by Charles Murray on July 31, 2026
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The Jesus Prayer
by Aimee Riegert, Bill Smith on July 24, 2026
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Recent Publications
Stranded in Space, Grounded in Faith
by Barry Wilmore on August 12, 2026Barry “Butch” Wilmore reflects on his harrowing experience...Read More
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What If I Misrepresent the Gospel?
by Cameron McAllister on July 1, 2026
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Transforming the Heart Through Meditating on the Word
by Matthew Bingham on June 17, 2026