Dr. Southard is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, holds a Master of Science from George Washington University and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His career spans 40 years in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and development, where he served as Board Chairman, CEO, and Chief Science Officer. In parallel, Dr. Southard dedicated 26 years to military service as an artillery, chemical, and military intelligence officer in both active duty and the reserves. He commanded two units and retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Army. For over 30 years, he has been active in youth ministry, committed to equipping young people and adults to become disciples of Christ-able to confidently defend their faith in any setting. He believes that a strong faith, coupled with intellectual understanding, is key to sustaining belief. This conviction led him to write To Know with Certainty, providing evidence to address doubts that often cause young Christians to leave their faith resulting in a decline of Christianity in America and the subsequent loss of influence on American culture and morals. The signs are already present and if this trend continues, Christianity will become a minority religion in the U.S. by 2054, with profound consequences for the nation. In response, The Battle We Must Not Lose, (Second Edition) presents and analyzes the evidence and appeals to the church, parents, and the nation to unify and urgently reprioritize the spiritual development of youth. Dr. Southard and his late wife, Marilyn, were married for 51 years and raised four sons, welcoming six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Now remarried to Nancy, he resides in Fort Myers, FL.