Ian G. Spong was born in Australia, was educated in theology in England and the USA. He has been married almost forty years to a the love of his life whom he met in college. He is a father of four boys and a grandfather of five as of the publishing date. He carries both a bachelor of arts in theology and master of theological studies. Engaged in pastoral ministry most of the time since 1980, he is currently a pastor of three rural congregations in western Maryland.