Speaker
Keynotes ∞ Church Messages ∞ Seminars ∞ Conference Break-Outs
Speaker
Keynotes ∞ Church Messages ∞ Seminars ∞ Conference Break-Outs
We’ve all been wounded. My speaking is aimed at helping you heal, guard, and develop your heart – your most prized possession.
Due to personal priorities, most of my speaking is virtual (via Zoom or other platforms) to maximize time, impact, and cost-effectiveness. I speak at live events within a several hour radius from my home base.
Why do I speak?
I speak to make a difference. I hope to engage your heart by sharing mine. My prayer is that Jesus Christ would speak through me – encouraging, inspiring, and motivating you to healing, growth, and living with more purpose than ever before.
What is my speaking experience?
Over the past 35 years, I’ve spoken in person more than 4000 times in various professional capacities on a wide range of topics to a total of more than a quarter of a million people. I speak at churches, conferences, healthcare organizations, universities, corporations, educational organizations, and civic groups.
What do I speak on?
Almost any topic related to loss, grief, recovery, healing, growth, and making a powerful, eternal difference in this challenging, often harsh world.
Keynotes ∞ Church Messages ∞ Seminars ∞ Conference Break-Outs
Keynotes
Crafted in dialog with you, specifically for your group or organization
Church Messages
Tailored directly to your church’s needs and vision, drawing upon over 20 years pastoral experience and more than 2500 messages.
Seminars and Workshops
I will work with you to create a seminar or workshop that meets your needs. Below are some examples:
The Good Grief Seminar:
How to Heal from the Losses of Life
We all experience loss. How we handle it matters. Good Grief is a three-session, three hour seminar designed to help you:
- Better understand the impact loss has on your life
- Handle the roller-coaster emotions of grief
- Navigate changing relationships in healthy ways
- Adjust to a new future and begin to live again
- Support others who are experiencing loss in compassionate, meaningful ways.
Originally designed for churches, some congregations have used Good Grief as a community outreach or as a kick-off to their GriefShare program, both with great success. I have since modified Good Grief for other organizations and venues as well, and can be non-religious if requested.
Teen Grief:
How to Care for the Grieving Teenage Heart
Teens are hurting. We can help. This two-session, two hour seminar is designed to assist those who live and work with teens to:
- Better understand loss and grief from a teen perspective
- Better understand the teen heart’s desires and aspirations
- Identify and deal with the challenges inherent in raising or working with youth
- Be aware of and address suicidal thoughts and ideation
- Better care for yourself as you raise or serve teens
Ideal for parents, educators, school districts, and churches, the specifics of this seminar are determined in discussion with you about your group, mission, and goals.
Additional Seminar/Workshop Topics
I can craft a seminar or workshop for your group that fits your needs. Please feel free to contact me to discuss. Additional topics to consider include:
Handling Holiday Grief
Christ-Centered Grieving
Forgiveness – Key to Healing
Overcoming Grief by Knowing God
Break-Out Sessions and Single Talks
I speak on a variety of subjects, but some of my most requested themes include:
- What to Never Say to a Grieving Person (and What to Do Instead)
- How to Heal from Past Hurts and Wounds
- How to Turn Bad Stuff into Good Stuff, Every Day
- How to be a Positive Difference-Maker (Even When You’re a Mess)
- How to Live with Meaning and Purpose While Grieving
- How to Handle Holiday Grief
- How to Help Others Heal and Stay Sane at the Same Time
- What to Do What Bad Stuff Happens (for teens)
What’s the next step?
Let’s start talking. Contact me using the box below. I look forward to hearing about you, your group, and your needs.
What the audience says…
I learned so much about myself and why I grieve the way I do. Gary not only helped my hurting heart, but also helped me support other hurting, grieving hearts.
Honestly, I didn’t want to come. After losing my wife, I didn’t think I could handle going. I’m so glad I did. I laughed, cried, and healed a lot that day.
Gary was talking straight to me. He helped me put into words what I was feeling. I realize even more than ever that every life and every grief journey is unique.
This was time well-spent. Gary handles difficult, emotionally power-packed topics skillfully and in an engaging and easy-to-follow manner. I highly recommend his seminars.
Best presentation on grief I’ve ever heard. Excellent. Clear. Easy to understand. Practical. Thank you!
Gary is a captivating, intellectually stimulating speaker who will bring transformational truth right to your doorstep. You definitely won’t be bored.
What do event planners say about working with Gary?
Gary is a man of passion and purpose. He has the creative ability to connect with an audience of diverse personalities. His transparency and genuine, kind nature allow him to engage with the whole person: mind, heart, strength and soul.
From the moment he began speaking, Gary held our counselors and teachers in the palm of his hand. Everyone was impacted by his thoughtful message and personable delivery style. It’s a guarantee that folks will ask you to bring him back another time!
Gary brings a message of hope out of trauma, pain, and grief. His presentation was so powerful that I brought him in to my region so more could hear his message. To have the opportunity to work with him was even better. He left me uplifted and hopeful that anyone can overcome and work through the trauma of loss, no matter the type.
Gary has a special gift to speak to the grieving heart. We are very grateful he accepted our invitation as keynote speaker for our annual “Wrenched Hearts” event (for Delta employees who have lost a child). Gary’s compassionate words are healing because you know that he absolutely gets it. I am blessed to have such a kind and caring friend.
Gary is an incredible speaker, accomplished author and caring shepherd. Working with Gary was a wonderfully positive experience for our church and those walking the grief journey.
