Valeria Spinner-Banks and Acklen Banks
"When we say I do"

*With God’s grace we are brought together in the spirit of friendship, love and partnership.

* Beautiful, spoken “Marriage Vows” quickly require commitment, responsibility, and accountability.

*Marriages prosper when God’s presence is visible and alive.

*God’s presence provides us with the armor needed to meet the challenges inherent in the sacrament of marriage.

Valeria and Acklen Banks will celebrate 30 years of marriage in June. They met in New Orleans in 1977. Into this union was brought one son from Val’s previous marriage, and then four adopted children along the way. <more>

Jeff Havens: Uncrapify Your Life!

“World renowned super-guru” Jeff Havens delivers a laugh-out-loud hour of pseudo-motivation that will leave you feeling better than you have in years - guaranteed!

Tired of dull, uninspiring motivational speakers?

     Let's make one thing clear: Jeff is not a real motivational speaker. Not by a long shot. He's a professional comedian who has performed at some of the best comedy clubs in America, and his mock motivational seminar “Uncrapify Your Life!” is a hilarious offering that provides all the wrong advice in a satirical, tongue-in-cheek fashion. It's completely clean (the worst word he uses is 'crap,'), and it's the perfect entertainment for anyone who has had more than their fair share of motivational speakers.

The two pillars of the “Uncrapify Your Life!” program include:

• Become a better communicator by learning how to more effectively criticize others.
• Learn how to handle responsibility by outsourcing blame.

Filled with cheesy acronyms, silly rhyming phrases, audience participation, and all the other elements of a traditional motivational speech, the “Uncrapify Your Life!” program is a great way to provide a message  in a fun, interesting, novel fashion

Jim Kern
Connecting With Kids: Passing on Our Values, 2009 Presentation

Well known across North America as an educator, writer, and speaker, Jim's Kern’s presentations have value and meaning to all people interested in relationships.

These messages bring hope and humor as Jim assists the listener to gain understanding of human behavior and to learn how to bring significant change into the lives of associates, students, and family members.

Jim is the author of “Build the Fort...Today” a book that shows how that teacher who slapped your hand, that coach who shouted loudly, and that par­ent who became impatient are all real human beings. And yes, even that little one who just spilled oil-based paint on the carpet, your child, remains a price­less, precious human being. All human beings are just that ... a mysterious, marvelous creation!

Jim Kern was born and raised in southern Minnesota. After graduating from Byron High School he attended Winona State University where he earned his B.S. degree with majors in English and Physical Edu­cation, and later an M.S. degree with emphasis on guidance and counseling. From the University of Wyo­ming, Jim earned his doctorate in educational psychology.

Jim has taught every age group from kindergarten to seasoned citizens in Minnesota, Michigan and Wyoming. Currently he lives in south Texas with his wife Denise.

Jim gives 150-200 presentations per year to a wide variety of groups. We are very pleased to have him as a keynote speaker at the 2008 National Marriage Encounter Conference in Jefferson City.

http://jimkern.gvtc.com

Deadra Stanton

Deadra Stanton, presenter for Creative Communications, has been a teacher of English, Speech, and Theatre for over 30 years. She is an honor graduate of Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota and recently earned her Masters in Education from St. Mary’s University. With majors in Speech Communications, Theatre Arts, and Business Administration, she brings a diverse background to the podium.

When not in the classroom, Deadra is a frequent presenter and motivational speaker for numerous audiences across the nation. Her humorous style and up-beat presentations make her a versatile and sought after speaker. Deadra’s husband Mark is a business owner and she has two children: Sarah a graduate of the University of Iowa and Nathan is a professional Hockey Official.