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Allow God To Define You — Dr. Edith Ever Eger Listening to Empower
Susan Balk spend twelve years as Director of Training for the New Hope Crisis Counseling Center at the Crystal Cathedral, where she was able to participate in training hundreds of volunteers in the area of listening and grief issues. Susan is an Elder of the Crystal Cathedral and am ATM Silver CL with the Achievers Toastmasters Club. Living with Chronic Arthritis: Making it a joint effort with God
Ralph Bus developed Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of thirteen and has lived with this 'dis'abling condition for 29 years. It has opened his heart and mind to understand life as a disabled individual and how this pertains to living on one's own, in the community, and as a Christian. He has a passion for the disability ministry and has devoted many volunteer hours to its various aspects. Through the Christian Reformed Church, he has served for over fifteen years ministering to, or on behalf of, those with disabling conditions. He enjoys writing and delivering sermons, workshops, and information sessions. He serves on the Board of Directors for Peace Ranch, which assists those with schizophrenia and other illnesses of the mind, represents the Arthritis Society for his local area, and serves as the Treasurer for a local Christian School. He works three days a week at a local company in Ontario, Canada and has been with them for 18 years. He also offers a computer repair, consulting and bookkeeping service on the side.
A Heart for the Grief Ministry
Carol DeMars Collins is a certified Life Coach and a Bereavement Counselor at Mariners Church in Irvine, California. She has organized and facilitated grief support groups at Mariners for the past twelve years. In addition, she is the author of “Good Morning, God”, which was published in December 2006. Disability Awareness Q&A Panel
Norman Coombs, Ph.D. was blinded by an accident at age 8. He is the CEO of EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) as well as professor emeritus from the Rochester Institute of Technology where he taught history for 36 years. He has lectured on distance learning and on making information systems accessible to students with disabilities across the US, as well as in Canada, England, Ireland, Hungary, Mexico, Switzerland and Turkey. Maureen Pratt has disabilities that are the invisible kind; she is a patient of multiple chronic illnesses, including lupus and cardiovascular disease. See bio below. Glen Giffin fell victim to smoker-type throat cancer and underwent radiation, chemotherapy and several surgeries in efforts to save his voice. These efforts came to an end with the surgical removal of his larynx and he uses an Artificial Larynx Device (ALD) to communicate. He is an active member of the International Association of Laryngectomees support group and past President of the Minnesota New Voice Club. He counsels hospital patients who undergo surgery on how to overcome their disability. He speaks to high school classes about dangers and affects of smoking and second hand smoke. (Since he has never smoked, he is quite fervent about these issues.) Glen is a retired former executive of a major computer manufacturer and lives near Minneapolis, MN, with his wife, Dottie. Ralph Bus developed Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of thirteen and has lived with this 'dis'abling condition for 29 years. It has opened his heart and mind to understand life as a disabled individual and how this pertains to living on one's own, in the community, and as a Christian. He has a passion for the disability ministry and has devoted many volunteer hours to its various aspects. Through the Christian Reformed Church, he has served for over fifteen years ministering to, or on behalf of, those with disabling conditions. He enjoys writing and delivering sermons, workshops, and information sessions. He serves on the Board of Directors for Peace Ranch, which assists those with schizophrenia and other illnesses of the mind, represents the Arthritis Society for his local area, and serves as the Treasurer for a local Christian School. He works three days a week at a local company in Ontario, Canada and has been with them for 18 years. He also offers a computer repair, consulting and bookkeeping service on the side. Gail Williamson and her husband of 33 years, Tommie, are the parents of 2 sons; Tim 30 and Blair 27 who was born with Down syndrome. In following Blair's dreams, Gail stumbled on her own destiny. Gail has become a well respected advocate and consultant in the entertainment and media industry for people with disabilities, spending 12 years on contract to the California Governors' Committee for Employment of People with Disabilities. She has spent the last few years as the Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles. Gail is a popular public speaker addressing parent groups, conventions and media forums in Hollywood . Passing the Torch — Leaving a Legacy
Dr. Glenn DeMaster served as the Executive Pastor for the Crystal Cathedral. In May, 2006, he retired from his full-time position and continues in a part-time role focusing on teaching and pastoral care. Previously he served as Associate Pastor at Reformed Churches in Omaha, NE and Artesia, CA. He also served as the Executive Minister for the Regional Synod of the Far West, Reformed Church in America. He holds a M.A. Degree in Secondary Education and did his seminary work at Talbot and Fuller Seminaries. His passions in ministry are leadership training, coaching, teaching the scriptures, and team building. Glenn and Marilyn have been married 46 years. They have two children and three grandchildren. Allow God to Define You Take Hold of Your Faith
A native of Hungary, Edith Eva Eger was just 16 years old in 1944 when she experienced one of the worst evils the human race has ever known. As a Jew living in Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe, she and her family were sent to Auschwitz, the heinous death camp. Her parents lost their lives there. By 1945, when the American Army liberated the camp, Edith was near death. A young American soldier noticed her hand moving slightly amongst a number of dead bodies. He quickly summoned medical help and brought her back from the brink of death. After the war, Edith moved to Czechoslovakia where she met the man she would marry. In 1949 they moved to the United States. In 1969 she received her degree in Psychology from the University of Texas, El Paso. She then pursued her doctoral internship at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss, Texas. Dr. Eger is a prolific author and a member of several professional associations. She has a clinical practice in La Jolla, California and holds a faculty appointment at the University of California, San Diego. She has appeared on numerous television programs, including Oprah Winfrey, and was the primary subject of a holocaust documentary that appeared on Dutch National Television. She is frequently invited to make speaking engagements throughout the United States, Mexico, and abroad. She sees herself as a mid-wife of the soul to empower people to be more Christ-like - so that they can turn life into a celebration. Overflowing with Living Water for Thirsty Souls Kind People Can Have Boundaries Too
Dr. Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the New Hope Crisis Counseling Center at the Crystal Cathedral and the founder of NewHopeNow.org, the world's first web site to offer live, private online counseling for free. Dr. Bill is also a Clinical Psychologist and Spiritual Director with a private practice in Irvine, CA, where he lives with his wife and three children. He is the author of “A Walk with your Shepherd” and “Returning to the Father” and offers articles and tapes on Christian psychology, marriage and family, and spiritual information on his web site, www.ChristianSoulCare.com. At his web site you can also sign up for a free semi-weekly devotional by email. Care for the CareGiver
Glen Giffin fell victim to smoker-type throat cancer and underwent radiation, chemotherapy and several surgeries in efforts to save his voice. These efforts came to an end with the surgical removal of his larynx and he uses an Artificial Larynx Device (ALD) to communicate. He is an active member of the International Association of Laryngectomees support group and past President of the Minnesota New Voice Club. He counsels hospital patients who undergo surgery on how to overcome their disability. He speaks to high school classes about dangers and affects of smoking and second hand smoke. (Since he has never smoked, he is quite fervent about these issues.) Glen is a retired former executive of a major computer manufacturer and lives near Minneapolis, MN, with his wife, Dottie. Dorothy (Dottie) Giffin describes herself as a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Homemaker, and Caregiver. She and Glen met in her native Philadelphia area and have been married 49 years. They have 3 adult sons and 11 grandchildren. In the course of their marriage, they have moved about the U. S. and lived in Europe for several years. They have called Minneapolis, MN home for many years. Dottie became a dedicated Caregiver when Glen was hospitalized for almost a year in 2001. She has some very interesting and informative perspectives on the many aspects of caregiving. Joy of Forgiveness - PreConference Seminar
Sandy Hoenig offers special insight from her personal experiences as well as her extensive background in elementary teaching and school counseling. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Drake University. A nationally certified conflict resolution facilitator, she has led workshops and retreats on the joy of forgiveness for more than ten years. She lives in Ames, Iowa, with her husband, Rick. Personalities: Giving and Receiving Care
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 7 years. Dr. Hutchinson has a special interest in working with adults who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Her passion is people, and she has a particular joy in working with couples and helping them find their way to marital bliss. She has celebrated 23 years of marriage and has a 16 year old son and an 13 year old daughter. Loving and Understanding People
Rev. Dick Innes, an acclaimed author and public speaker, will share from his more than three decades in studying and working with people and will draw from his own rich personal experience. Dick is originally from Australia, is a former pastor and editor of Psychology for Living magazine, is a trained pastoral counselor, and taught classes and led seminars on outreach, recovery, and personal growth throughout the U.S., Australia, as well as in New Zealand, England and Canada. He has authored three books, and hundreds of articles. His email services total 65,000 subscribers worldwide. He is also the co-author of the Crystal Cathedral Divorce and Grief Recovery handbook and teaches in this ministry at the Cathedral. Dick is also the founder and international director of ACTS International—an organization that helps churches bridge the gap to their non-church community. Hope and Autism
Christine Iradj is a mediator for special education dispute resolution. As a volunteer for the Long Beach Unified School District, she helps parents and educators find solutions in their children's unique educational needs. She is the daughter of an Army officer and a German mother and grew up in Europe and throughout the U.S. She holds a BS from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. How Loving Kindness Wiped Out the Pagan Religion Small Acts of Kindness Heal the Human Spirit and the Body 90% of Helping is Just Showing Up!
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. Take My Hand: Guiding a Child Through Grief
Sharon Marshall is coordinator of Divorce and Grief Recovery at the Crystal Cathedral and founder and director of the nationally acclaimed program, “SCORE: Success in the CORE for Everyone.” She has authored numerous books including, Take My Hand: Guiding Your Child Through Grief. She is the winner of the Author 101 contest which includes a book contract for Home, Sweet Homework!, to be released in July, 2007. Her web sites are www.childgrief.com ; www.sharonmarshallbooks.com ; www.divorceandgriefrecovery.com. Conference Song Leader Bev Michielson has successfully created and maintained various Care Ministries in different areas of the country. In 2000, she founded ‘Through Me Ministries’, which deals with care on multiple levels from children through the elderly, as a means of coordinating all of her involvements. Throughout her career, she has blended a host of volunteer service projects with her professional singing. She inherited her talent from a musical family and from her mother, who was a piano teacher. She marks her singing career as having begun at age 13 on a bus ride home from a Billy Graham crusade. Her early performances included several Junior Miss contests, leading up to her receiving the Miss Congeniality award in the Miss Michigan Junior Miss Pageant. More recently, she has given a concert each year at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, beginning in 2001. She is actively working as a songwriter and publisher, with her most recent projects being a CD of children's songs for the KINDer Kids program in public schools and Christmas album of favorites. She has begun another facet of her ministry through motivational speaking to staff members and patients in hospitals, hospice and care facilities. These presentations have emerged out of her dealing with debilitating illness and chronic pain, as she herself suffers from an incurable illness called Peripheral Neuropathy. The Healing Power of Prayer
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. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Reverend Donald Pederson has been an ordained minister for over 30 years, serving as the pastor of the third largest church in the city of Los Angeles and as a District Coordinator (or bishop), providing leadership and spiritual direction to churches in Arizona , New Mexico , California and Nevada . He received a B.A. in Bible and focused his graduate studies on Church History and Theology. He has extensive experience in book publishing and is a faculty member of a local ministry training school. Rev. Pederson currently serves as a chaplain at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank , CA ,where he provides pastoral care to the Cancer Center and the Emergency Room. Don is a trained conflict mediator, author, retreat facilitator and spiritual advisor. He enjoys writing, movies, and long walks along the beach. Presence as Prayer
Dr. Jan Pfeffer has her Ph.D. in Psychology and her Masters in Pastoral Counseling. Her experience includes teaching, in-patient psychiatric care, out-patient program development, business consulting, pastoral care, outreach ministries, and research. Jan has been a past keynote speaker for the Interfaith Conferences sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association; a repeat speaker at the International Conference on Care and Kindness at the Crystal Cathedral; a speaker at the Center for Health Ministry Outreach at St. Joseph Health System; a panelist with Dr. Harold Koenig for the Medical Symposium in Newport Beach and many other venues. Her passion is the connection between spirituality, faith, and healing, as well as, the healing power of ‘presence', even ‘presence' without words. Dr. Pfeffer is Director of Pastoral Care and Outreach Ministries at San Francisco Solano Church in Rancho Santa Margarita. She is an advisory board member for Accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) at Crystal Cathedral. In 1997, Jan completed a year long research study at Mission Hospital , on the ‘Effects of Touch and Prayer on Healing after Cardiac Surgery', and continues her involvement in the spirituality/health field. When not counseling or presenting, Jan loves tennis, traveling with her husband, and especially spending time with her 4 grandchildren. Caring about Other People of Faith
Rev. Don Postema is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church. He carries on a ministry of spiritual formation through retreats, conferences, teaching, writing and spiritual direction. He serves as a member of the adjunct faculty at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena , CA , in the area of Christian Spirituality. He has also taught at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA; Whitworth College, Spokane, WA; Mars Hill Graduate School, Seattle, WA. and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Rev. Postema is author of “Space for God: Study and Practice of Prayer and Spirituality” and a cassette tape and CD, “ Space for God in Words and Music.” Don also authored “Catch Your Breath: God's Invitation to Sabbath Rest” . He has traveled widely as a retreat leader and conference speaker - including Gambia and Sierra Leone , West Africa; Canada ; Costa Rica ; Japan ; Malaysia ; and Mexico as well as many places in the U.S. He is a graduate of Calvin College and Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids , Michigan , and of the Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam, the Netherlands . He has also studied at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley CA and at Yale Divinity School , New Haven , CT with Fr. Henri J.M.Nouwen. In 1997 Don retired after 34 years as pastor of Campus Chapel [campus ministry of the Christian Reformed Church at University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan ]. As a lecturer at the University of Michigan , he taught "World Religions," and "Personality and Religious Development." Peace in the Storm: Pain and Illness through the Ages
Maureen Pratt is an award-winning author, playwright, journalist and musician who speaks and writes about spirituality, prayer, and living with chronic pain and illness. Her latest book, “Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain and Illness ” , is written out of her experience as a Christian and as a patient of multiple chronic illnesses, including lupus and cardiovascular disease. Maureen's articles have appeared in Guideposts, Arthritis Today, Lupus Now, GRIT, Journey Magazine, and the Upper Room. Her column, Living Well, is syndicated through Catholic News Service and runs in newspapers and other publications throughout the United States. Maureen has spoken at national and regional conferences, medical centers, and religious institutions, including last year's Care Conference; Northwestern Memorial Hospital and DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois; The National Lupus Public Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.; and Women-Mentoring-Women at the Decatur Foursquare Gospel Church in Decatur, Illinois. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Languages from Georgetown University and a Master of Fine Arts in Theater Arts from UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television. Care And Kindness In A Cross Cultural Environment
Rev. Karyn Reddick is the Director of Pastoral Care at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children's Hospital. She is ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and is a Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains. She is also a Diplomate with the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy as a Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor. She oversees a department of seven full time chaplains, 4 resource chaplains, a Decedent Affairs Coordinator, an Administrative Assistant, two Roman Catholic Priests, two Roman Catholic Sisters and 29 Eucharistic Ministers. Rev. Reddick is known for her work in cross-cultural pastoral care, working in Long Beach , a city known for its ethnic diversity. She also makes presentations on advance care planning, and end of life decision-making. Rev. Reddick consistently trains ministers of various denominations and cultures and provides educational experiences for hospital staff to increase their awareness of their stereotypes and biases and bring more awareness to other beliefs and how we can work best together. She is also certified in many aspects of personality theory and works within the hospital on organizational development and conflict resolution. Ethical Considerations in Death and Dying The Dying Experience
Kenneth Schemmer, M.D. has been a practicing surgeon for the past thirty-two years. He received his M.D. degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and he is a Diplomate with the American College of Surgeons. He has served as chairman of the Bio-ethics Committees at Brea Community Hospital in Brea, California and St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, California. Dr. Schemmer has written several books, including Between Faith and Tears, Between Life and Death: The Life Support Dilemma, and Tinkering with People. He has produced a video entitled, “The Surgical Journey to Health” and has taught courses in “Ministry to the Sick” and “Ministry to the Dying” at Anderson School of Theology.
Self Esteem and Loving Kindness
Dr. Robert H. Schuller founded the Garden Grove Community Church in 1955, which today, as the Crystal Cathedral, hosts the Hour of Power, a weekly television show that has grown into the most-watched religious program in the world. Dr. Schuller is the author of over 30 books, six of which have found a place on the New York Times and Publishers Weekly best-seller lists. Robert and Arvella Schuller have five children, all active in Christian ministry. Dr. Schuller's son Robert A. Schuller is also an ordained minister of the Reformed Church in America.
Restorative Justice for Ex-offenders and Families
Rev. James Vander Schaaf is Executive Director of Criminal Justice Chaplaincy (CJC) in Grand Rapids, MI. CJS is a community corrections ministry of aftercare to individuals, families and groups whose lives are affected by crime. He also has a private practice in Psychotherapy. Jim received his BA from Calvin College and his M.Div. from Calvin Seminary, with post-graduate studies at Bethesda Hospital and Fort Logan Mental Health Center in Denver. Candor: Speaking the Truth in Love
Uncommon Graces: Helping the Wounded Understand Grace
Dr. John Vawter pastored churches in Tempe , Arizona and Minneapolis after working for 10 years with Campus Crusade for Christ as Campus Ministries Developer and Regional Director. He served as President of Western Seminary as well as Phoenix Seminary. After earning his BS degree from the University of Oregon , he received a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Bethel Seminary. He and his wife, Susan, are founders of You're Not Alone, a “confidential, compassionate conference” for parents in ministry whose kids abuse drugs or alcohol. Dr. Vawter, a passionate and international speaker, is also author of “Uncommon Graces” and “Hit By a Ton of Bricks: You're Not Alone when Your Child's on Drugs”
Care and Compassion Through the Media
Gail Williamson is a well known public speaker and advocate for performers with disabilities. Working as a consultant with the California State Media Access Office for more than 12 years she has established herself as the “go to person” in Hollywood and elsewhere when a project includes characters with Down syndrome and other disabilities. She has assisted many television shows over the years. Some of the most notable include: TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL, ER, FAMILY LAW, LAW AND ORDER: SVU and THE GUARDIAN. Gail is currently employed as the Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles, Inc. (DSALA), whose mission is to enhance the welfare of people with Down syndrome and their families through the development and promotion of education, counseling, employment and recreational programs. Gail and her husband, Tommie, have been married for more than 30 years and are the proud parents of two adult sons. Tim, the oldest is married to a wonderful woman and busy with a career; Blair the youngest, was born with disabilities from Down syndrome and started acting professionally at the age of 11. As an adult, Blair has some very impressive credits on his resume. Gail was recognized as the 1999 California State and National Mother of the Year by American Mother's, Inc., and by Changing Images in America, with the 1999 Chia Awards Media Image Award for her “tireless efforts in pursuing and promoting increased employment opportunities and more balances images of people with disabilities in the Entertainment Industry.” Attitudes, Platitudes, and Gratitude
Rhea Zakich is an author, speaker, leader of retreats and workshops, as well as being a renowned TV and radio guest. She is also the creator of the world's most popular communication game, the Ungame . Rhea is gifted at the art of touching the human heart as she draws from her own unique experiences, blending humor with simple but powerful insights. She speaks on a variety of subjects and customizes her talks to the occasion. Her enthusiastic presentations encourage, enlighten, entertain and touch the heart of every age, leaving a lasting impression. A recipient of many community service awards, she has been featured in Reader's Digest, Guideposts, Redbook, People, US, Today's Christian Women and Psychology for Living.
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Dr. Glenn DeMaster 
Dr. Edith Ever Eger, PhD
Dr. Jan Pfeffer
Dr. Robert Schuller
Dr. John Vawter
Gail Williamson and Blair
Rhea Zakich