About Thorn in the Flesh Ministries

After having much success giving talks and presentations throughout the country, Chris Knabenshue, created Thorn in the Flesh Ministries in order to give a home to his apologetic and presentation work. Formed in 2018, it serves as the access point to schedule and promote the presentations he offers. We are currently in the process of applying for 501c3 Non-Profit status.

Why Thorn in the Flesh?

In today's culture and climate, there is an erroneous assumption that those who teach about their faith are perfect or think they are. This particularly becomes a turn off and a catalyst for those that are in need of the messages the most. With a desire to continually acknowledge my own imperfection, need for mercy, and continued learnging, questioning, and seeking, I turned to St. Paul's words and remembered that he, too, was given a "thorn in the flesh" to prevent him from becoming proud (2 Corinthians 12:7). It is from this passage that the name of this apostolate comes from. It is more of a call to myself, to remember that what I do is in the service of the one greater than myself, and it is a reminder of my own need to hear and not just speak. When I put these different presentations together, I try to keep all of these things in mind - while, at the same time, try to give the reasons for "the hope that lives within me...[doing so,] with gentleness and compasion" (1 Peter 3:15).

About The Presenter, Chris Knabenshue

Chris Knabenshue has been teaching and evangelizing the Catholic faith since the Jubilee 2000. He uses his seminary background and continued study to explain the faith and specializes in making difficult concepts tangible and easy to understand for both youth and adult audiences. He has a BA in Philosophy and Theology from St. John's Seminary College (Boston, MA) and is currently pursuing an MA in Biblical Catechesis from John Paul the Great Catholic University (San Diego, CA). He has spoken Internationally on the Crucifixion and the Shroud of Turin, and nationally on many other faith-based topics. He has worked as the Youth Minister at Our Lady of Grace (Encino, CA) and as a theology teacher and theology department chair at Crespi Carmelite High School (Encino, CA). He is now the Campus Minister at Crespi High School.