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July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Apologist

Cliffe Knechtle

Cliffe Knechtle is an American Christian apologist and Protestant pastor best known as the founder of the public apologetics ministry Give Me an Answer.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Cliffe Knechtle is an American Christian apologist and Protestant pastor who founded the public apologetics ministry Give Me an Answer. He is known for campus debates and online discussions about Christianity.

What it is

Knechtle’s ministry focuses on public conversations about Christianity, often at universities, addressing topics like truth, doubt, suffering, and morality. His work has gained wide circulation through social media and video clips.

Key details

Born in New York City on May 20, 1954, Knechtle studied at Davidson College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He serves as senior pastor of Grace Community Church in New Canaan, Connecticut, and authored the book Heaven Can't Wait (2005).

Why it matters

Knechtle represents a modern approach to Christian apologetics, using campus outreach and viral media to engage with skeptical audiences. His work has influenced public discourse on faith and worldview questions.

In short

  • Founder of Give Me an Answer, a public apologetics ministry.
  • Known for campus debates and viral online clips.
  • Senior pastor of Grace Community Church in New Canaan, Connecticut.
  • Author of Heaven Can't Wait (2005).
Canadian angle

No strong direct Canada-specific connection is identified in the provided sources.

Quick questions

Who is Cliffe Knechtle?
An American Christian apologist and Protestant pastor, founder of Give Me an Answer.
What is Give Me an Answer?
A public apologetics ministry focused on campus evangelism and answering questions about Christianity.
How old is Cliffe Knechtle?
Born May 20, 1954, he is 72 as of July 24, 2026.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliffe_Knechtle
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, occupation, role as founder of Give Me an Answer, and senior pastor position.
  2. Give Me An Answer — https://givemeananswer.org/meet-cliffe-stuart/
    Supports: Official biography, ministry role, education, pastoral role, family details, and public campus outreach.
  3. Christianity Today — https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/08/cliffe-knechtle-apologetics-tiktok-campus-debates/
    Supports: Describes his decades of campus dialogues, social media reach, and ministry development.
  4. Liberty University News — https://www.liberty.edu/news/2024/11/22/popular-apologist-cliffe-knechtle-urges-students-to-evangelize-with-love/
    Supports: Describes him as an apologist and explains Give Me An Answer and its campus evangelism focus.
  5. Famous Birthdays — https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/cliffe-knechtle.html
    Supports: States his age and mentions the book Heaven Can't Wait, though this is a less authoritative source.
  6. The Harvard Crimson — https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/4/7/Cliffe-Knechtle-Visits-Harvard/
    Supports: Notes his long-running campus evangelism and the Give Me An Answer ministry.