As Christians we are called to stand with passionate conviction for the values and imperatives of the Gospel. But just as clearly, we are called to communicate our positions in sane and civil ways. President Mouw notes that Christians have not been as successful in promoting the causes of civil discourse, and explores the urgent need for Christian civility in an uncivil world.

Dr. Richard J. Mouw joined the faculty of Fuller Theological Seminary as professor of Christian philosophy and ethics in September 1985. In September 1989, Dr. Mouw was appointed provost and senior vice president of Fuller Seminary. In July 1993, he assumed the presidency of Fuller. Dr. Mouw began his academic studies with a B.A. in English from Houghton College. He subsequently received his master's degree in philosophy from the University of Alberta and his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Chicago. Prior to his appointment at Fuller, he served for 17 years as professor of philosophy at Calvin College.

Dr.Tino Ballesteros
“Assessing Your Spiritual Gifts”

God has given you one or more spiritual gifts if you are a Christian, and discovering that gift or gifts will be a thrilling experience.

Dr. Tino Ballesteros is a second generation Presbyterian Church minister. He is presently Minister of Christian Education at the Crystal Cathedral. He oversees the education ministry as well as the Ministry Associate Training program. He is a graduate of Southern College and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education; he received his doctorate from Union Theological Seminary.

Learn how you can become part of the solution to the alarming escalation of mental health problems and suicides in the schoolroom. By learning to identify symptoms of mental illness, you will feel less fearful and more empowered to help yourself and others.

Kati Mester has been a NAMI-OC (National Association for Mental Illness) Board Member since 1999 and serves on the Advisory Board of FaithNet. As a family member, having lost her mother to suicide, and as a consumer (someone diagnosed with a mental illness), Kati sought support and an opportunity to advocate on behalf of the mentally ill by joining NAMI of Orange County in 1997. She has worked continuously as a volunteer counselor and trainer at the Crystal Cathedral's NEW HOPE Crisis Hotline and she is employed by the Mental Health Association of Orange County as an SSI Outreach Specialist and a Rehabilitation Worker serving the mentally ill population of Orange County.

Rochelle Exelby
“Insights About Caring for the Disabled”

A practical guide to opening your mind and heart to become more sensitive to obvious or hidden disabilities in others. Improve your sensitivity towards others who perceive the world differently and interpret the environmentthrough other senses.

Rochelle Exelby currently provides one-on-one orientation and obility training for those who have visual impairments in Vancouver, Canada. She received her postgraduate training in Orientation and Mobility, and a degree in Rehabilitation for the Blind in Ontario, Canada, where she spent six months under a blindfold, participating in daily activities in the community. She also volunteers as a Regional Consultant for the Christian Reformed Pastoral Ministries to assist churches in becoming more sensitive to persons with disabilities and provide for their specific spiritual needs within their church community.

Phyllis Wezeman
“Guiding Children Through Life's Losses”

Losses — everyday events and extraordinary occurrences — are a way of life. They range from major losses, such as death and divorce, to minor losses like broken promises and changing seasons. This workshop offers adults a way to help children acknowledge the loss, express their feelings, and attempt to recognize an opportunity for healing and growth.

Phyllis Wezeman is Director of Christian Nurture at First Presbyterian Church in South Bend, Indiana and President of Active Learning Associates, Inc. She has served as adjunct faculty at Indiana University, South Bend, from which she holds an M.S. in Education, as well as Adjunct Faculty in the Theology Department of the University of Notre Dame. She is a consultant or board member of numerous local and national organizations and leader of a six-week youth exchange program to Russia and the Ukraine. She is an "honorary Professor" of the Saint Petersburg (Russia) State University of Pedagogical Art, where she has taught for extended periods on three different occasions. She is author or co-author of over 550 books and articles on creative approaches to education and positive activities for peacemaking.

Rev. David A. Paap
“Strength in Gentle Hands, Courage in Humble Hearts”

During the past 25 years, more than 7,400 congregations have found the Stephen Series to be a powerful means for equipping laypersons to provide high quality, distinctively Christian, one-to-one care for people who experience crises and needs of almost every kind. You will learn how the Stephen Series works, receive a taste of the new Stephen Series training materials, and gain practical skills for caring in distinctively Christian ways.

Dr. Dave Paap is Program Director for Stephen Ministries, St. Louis. He has been on staff for 17 years and currently serves on the top management team along with Dr. Kenneth Haugk, the organization's Founder and Executive Director. Dr. Paap was pastor of a congregation for ten years and has retired as a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve after more than 25 years of service.

Rev. Paap was honored to receive the inaugural Crystal Wave Award in 1999 on behalf of Stephen Ministries, St. Louis.

Rev. David A. Paap
“Circles of Care with Christ at the Center”

Rev. David A. Paap
“Equipping Christians for Care and Kindness”

Dr. Jan Pfeffer
“Care Through Prayer Without Words”

Prayer is often presence, relationship, and touch, rather than merely correct words. Current research will be presented supporting the power of this type of prayer for health, healing and extended life expectancy.

Dr. Jan Pfeffer is Senior Vice President of Nexus Consulting, a company that does management consulting and transformation breakthrough. She is Pastoral Liaison and Director of Partners In Care at San Francisco Solano Church. She conducted research on the Effects of Personal Prayer and Touch on Recovery after Cardiac Surgery at Mission Hospital. She is on the Religious Outreach Committee for the Alzheimer's Association and has firsthand experience with care-giving, since her mother has Alzheimer's Disease.

Dr. Pfeffer earned her Bachelors in Psychology and Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, her Masters in Pastoral Counseling and her Ph.D. in Relational Psychology from Trinity College of Graduate Studies.

Dr. Eric Evenhuis
“Parenting Difficult Children”

This workshop is intended for anyone who is a caregiver to a difficult child/adolescent. Topics discussed will include: Learn how to never argue with your child again; Learn how to improve your child's grades without nagging; Learn how to intervene in destructive behavior. Everyday our children are faced with decisions that will impact the rest of their lives. Parents can have a very significant influence on the decisions their children will make.

Dr. Eric Evenhuis is a marriage and family therapist in Upland, California. A graduate of Calvin College, he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral counseling from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is a chaplain in the Christian Reform Church.

Vicki Wiley
“Building Faith and Spirituality in Children”

How can we, as adults, nurture a life of faith in our children? What is spiritual formation and how does it differ from the formation of faith? You will learn the characteristics of spiritual and faith formation and practical ways to lay the foundations for our ministries to set the stage for knowing God.

Vicki Wiley is Minister of Faith Formation at El Dorado Park Community Church in Long Beach, California. She oversees all the ministries for children, all educational ministries of the church and all outreach for the community within and outside the church, and the training and equipping of lay ministers. Vicki is the Children's Bible Researcher for Thomas Nelson Publishers and a student of Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Ray Hommes
“The Unique Grief of Hospice Care”

The grieving process is one of the most misunderstood concepts in modern life! Grief has certain characteristics that give it a life of its own. Learn how to deal with death and grieving and you will be taught how to really live.

Ray Hommes is a Volunteer/Bereavement Services Manager for VITAS Hospice Care in San Gabriel Valley, California. He has worked as chaplain and has also led many bereavement support groups while working as a Marriage and Family Therapist for the past eight years. He has served as a missionary to Japan, teaching Pastoral Care and Counseling and he is deeply conscious of the role culture plays in death and dying. Ray received his Bachelor of Arts from Calvin College, his Master of Divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary and his Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Dr. Bill Gaultiere
“How to Increase Closeness, Care and Competence”

We all want to be as effective as we can be in our work, relationships, and helping. The key is in managing feelings. Join Dr. Bill as he teaches you a six-step model for how to respond to your own and others' feelings.

Dr. Bill Gaultiere is the Executive Director of New Hope Crisis Counseling at the Crystal Cathedral and the founder of NewHopeNow.org, the world's first website to offer live, private online counseling for free. Dr. Bill is a Clinical Psychologist with a private practice in Irvine, where he lives with his wife and three children. He offers free self-help articles and other resources on his website, www.ChristianSoulCare.com.

Phil Allen
“Without God — No Recovery”
(Addictions)

How to assist Christians and their families who are in the strong hold of addiction and/or alcoholism. Identify and address in an honest, loving and caring manner the disease of addiction which affects so many within our communities today. Without God, there can be no recovery.

Phil Allen is the Christian Track Coordinator for local recovery ministries at Sober Living By The Sea. He facilitates groups, workshops, bible studies, lectures and is the liaison with local church ministries of all denominations.

Maureen Reagan
“Alzheimer's Disease”

Maureen Reagan, daughter of President Reagan, is committed to raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and the importance of caregiver support. She was appointed a member of the Alzheimer’s Association’s National Board in 1999. Well known as a political analyst and talk show host, Maureen Reagan’s distinguished public service career has given her a broad perspective on the challenges facing America. Her ability to articulate those issues clearly and succinctly is the reason she is a sought-after lecturer, speaker and commentator.

Columbine Kids
Kids with a Message

They call themselves normal kids with a message. Richard, Elisha, Courtney and Evan are survivors of one of the most horrific tragedies in this country. They not only survived, but have turned their "scars into starts" with a mission to spread their message of care and kindness to as many people as will listen. They want people to change so the Columbine High School disaster won't happen again.

Susan Balk
“Kind Ways to Respond to Grief”

Susan Balk is Director of Training for New Hope, a twenty-four hour telephone crisis counseling center. An experienced speaker on grief, she is past-president of the Achievers Toastmasters Club.

Dr. Frank Freed
“Listening, Learning and Loving”

Dr. Frank Freed is the Executive Director of the Crystal Cathedral Counseling Center, having served in this position for the last nine years. He is a graduate of Wheaton College and holds graduate degrees from Stanford University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and the Fuller Graduate School in Psychology. Dr. Freed is also an ordained minister in the conservative Baptist Church and served as a pastor for sixteen years.

Rev. John Coulombe
“Retirement Is Not Easy”

John Coulombe and Jacque, his wife of 31 years, are the parents of two sons, Matt (26), who is married and Tim (24), both who are students at Talbot School of Theology and Dallas Theological Seminary and in ministry themselves. John has served as pastor to older adults for 11 years at the First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, California. For the past 35 y ears he has served pastorates in youth, marriage and family ministries in Long Beach and Santa Barbara.

John also works alongside the Christian Association of Senior Adults. (C.A.S.A.), a national network ministry for churches. He has led conferences, workshops and seminars for such organizations as Leadership Network, Greater Los Angeles Sunday School Association, C.A.S.A., American Society on Aging (A.S.O.A.), and Christian Management Association.

John Coulombe is a graduate of Judson Baptist College, Biola University in La Mirada, CA and Talbot School of Theology.

Rev. Dr. Vicki Orr
“Lectio Divina”

Lectio Divina is Latin for Divine Reading, a practice in which one is led in slow steps of listening, meditating and contemplating a particular passage of Scripture in order to allow the Spirit of God to speak.

Pastor Vicki Orr is the Senior Associate Pastor at Presbyterian Church of the Master in Mission Viejo. She is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California with a Master of Divinity in 1985 and a Doctor of Ministry in 1994. She wrote her dissertation on prayer and healing.

Shirley Zink
“Teens: Loss, Depression and Suicide”

Shirley Zink taught school before she began her family. She has been a New Hope telephone crisis counselor, trainer and facilitator for 9 years. She is the Director of the International Conference on Care and Kindness and co-chairs the Simple Acts of Care & Kindness Festival committee. She founded the Simple Acts of Care & Kindness Foundation (S.A.C.K.), whose vision is to support and promote the Care Conference, S.A.C.K. projects in churches and schools. She and her husband own West Coast Fund Raising.

Shirley Zink
“Take S.A.C.K. Home With You”
(Simple Acts of Care and Kindness — Panel)

Dr. Debbie Hutchinson

Dr. Debbie Hutchinson is the Director of Staff Development at the Crystal Cathedral Counseling Center. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has been seeing clients at the counseling center for 6 years. Dr. Hutchinson has a special interest in working with adults who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. She has celebrated 20 years of marriage and has a 14 year old son and an 11 year old daughter.

Dr. James R. Kok
“Self-Care in the Senior Years”

Dr. James Kok is Director of Care Ministry for the Crystal Cathedral Congregation of Garden Grove, CA. He has been an ordained minister of the Christian Reformed Church of America for 35 years. He speaks extensively throughout the United States and Canada.

During his ministry Dr. Kok has specialized in the training of lay men and women, pastors and theological students in the art of caring and counseling, first at Pine Rest Christian Hospital and now at the Crystal Cathedral.

With Dr. Kok as the director, the Crystal Cathedral is an approved center for Clinical Pastoral Training. This is accredited training for seminary work specializing in the truly pastoral side of ministry. Dr. Kok provides both Extended sessions and Summer Intensive sessions.

Dr. James R. Kok
“Where Is God In All This?”

Dr. James R. Kok
“Care and Kindness for Beginners
— 10 Important Essentials”

Dr. Robert A. Schuller
“Possibility Living”

A brand new book calling Christians to care-ful living. Our Lord values our bodies and gives us the gift of life. Dr. Schuller inspires us to a high level of self-care that's possible and rewarding.

Dr. Robert Schuller is founder of Rancho Capistrano Ministry and co-hosts Hour of Power, the most widely watched religion program in America.

Dr. Bill Baker
“Can A Christian Love A Muslim?”

Dr. Sande Herron
“Communication That Really Helps and Heals”

Learn the simple secrets of extraordinary communication that provide healing and help for both the listener and the speaker! Workshop includes voice training, telephone techniques, training on how to handle difficult people and how to help people in crisis. SPECIAL BONUS: you will learn the three magic words that will get you out of just about any tough situation

Dr. Sandra Whitacre Herron is Director of the Singles Ministry at the Crystal Cathedral and is a trainer at the Fuqua International School of Christian Communications. Her many careers include being a credentialled and licensed teacher, speech pathologist and psychotherapist.

Sande's personal experiences with several life-threatening illnesses and divorce are what give her both compassion and credibility. Her family includes a blended family of eight children, eleven grandchildren and an ebullient dachschund named Pikku. Her favorite activity is flying with her husband Jim in a plane that he built.

Dr. Gunnar Christiansen
“Mental Illness' Unique Needs”
(Panel)

Dr. Gunnar Christiansen earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University in 1956 and achieved his M.D. and Masters Degree from the University of Oregon Medical School in 1961. He has been a Board Certified Ophthalmologist practicing in Anaheim, California for 29 years. He is serving as the Chairman of the California Alliance for the Mentally Ill's Outreach to the Faith Community ("FAITH-NET"). He is the First Vice President of the California Alliance for the Mentally Ill and is the Regional Representative for Southern California for the Presbyterian Serious Mental Illness Network (PSMIN).

Wrise Booker
“Caring For Those Different From Ourselves”

Jack Woolworth
“How Music, Groups and Styles Affect Teens”

Helen Fabian
“Teens: Sex vs. Love; Knowing The Difference”

Peg Windish
“Raising Respectful Children ”