“...can I not do with you as this potter does?’ declares the LORD. Like clay in the hands of the potter, so are you in My hand…” Jeremiah 18:6b (NIV)
Vision
To provide opportunity for the men of Southern Gables Church to participate in the blessing of relationships that hear and share the unique life stories of one another.
Purpose
- To be encouraged through the hearing the life stories of a few of the elder sages of Southern Gables Church and hear the most important lessons that they have learned on their life journeys.
- To hear the honest assessments of life from men who have faced crises in their lives and come through those times with a greater faith in God.
- To provide an opportunity to realize the power of story in every man’s life and how that relates to God’s larger story and His relationship with us.
- To realize how the telling of our stories deepens our recognition of our true identity in Christ and His purpose for our lives.
Events
We typically have four speakers with presentations at about two-week intervals in the first quarter of the year. We meet from 8:30 to 10:00 am in Rooms 177-179. Breakfast is served followed by our speaker of the morning and a question and answer period. A freewill donation will be accepted to cover the cost of the breakfast. Please register at the Men's Kiosk in the Welcome Center at least a week before each event or call Dan Thompson at 303.985.3923 or Phyllis Sittner at 303.986.1527, Ext. 204 for further information.
The schedule for 2010 is presented below. In addition, we have archives of the audio recordings of the speakers for 2008 and 2009. Read the speaker biographies, listen online or download the MP3 files to your computer.
2010 Schedule
- January 23 ~ Orval Janzen
Born in North Dakota. Formative years spent with a family of six in a farm life culture. Trust the Lord as Savior since the age of eight. Husband of Bernice, blessed with two daughters and eight grand-children. Graduate of Bethany Christian Academy, and attended Grace Bible Institute, now Grace University. Owned and operated a grocery business prior to following the Lord’s call to be a missionary. He ministered over 42 years with Child Evangelism Fellowship, including serving as Colorado and also Regional Director of that ministry.
Listen to an audio recording online or download the MP3 file.
- February 6 ~ Michael A. Stead
BS in Petroleum Engineering from Colorado School of Mines in 1967. Recently retired after 29 years in the oil and gas industry, followed by 12 years in IT support for a national brokerage firm. In early years, engineering was “his god,” yet God had other plans for Mike, and in 1980 reached down and rescued him because He delighted in him. Member of SGC for 14 years. Active in Men’s Ministries, deacon and leader of short term mission teams to Nigeria. He and his wife Jane have three children and six grandchildren.
Listen to an audio recording online or download the MP3 file.
- February 20 ~ Al Hodges
Al enjoys serving the SGC Compassion Ministry leaders, encouraging them as they pursue their passion and vision for the ministry. He and his wife Laura met in junior high school, dated in high school, married in college and have been enjoying ministry and their family ever since. Al and Laura have three sons, three daughters-in-law and nine grandchildren who know them as “Tata” and “Nana.” Al studied at Biola University, receiving an undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies and a MA in Biblical Counseling at Colorado Christian University. He loves coffee, photography, sports, reading and playing with his grandchildren.
Listen to an audio recording online or download the MP3 file.
- March 6 ~ Lloyd D. Carlton
Active member of SGC, currently serving as Elder. He and his wife Patricia were married in 1966, and have three children and 10 grandchildren. Born in 1938 at Livingston, TX, son of Lewis and Freddie Mae Carlton. Lloyd’s father was a pipefitter at Houston Shipyard and served in World War II. Lloyd has extensive training and experience in public education . He earned a Doctorate of Education from University of Wyoming; a MA from University of Northern Colorado; and a BS from Sam Houston State University. Lloyd joined the Jefferson County school system in 1961, and he served there until June 2009. He is currently holder of a Principal’s License, issued by Colorado Department of Education.
Listen to an audio recording online or download the MP3 file.
2009 Speakers
- January 24 ~ Dr. Ed Manring
Practicing physician for 40 years; retired in 2005. Board certified in Family Medicine and Geriatrics. Graduated from CSU, Wayne State University and University of Colorado School of Medicine. Ed and his wife, Nancy, were missionaries in West Africa for five years. They currently serve Christ as workers at Crossroads of the Rockies and Caring Hands Pregnancy Center in southwest Denver. Ed and Nancy have six children and thirty-three grandchildren.
Listen to an audio recording online or download the MP3 file.
- February 7 ~ Dan Cecil
1966 graduate of U. S. Air Force Academy. Flew F-100 fighter aircraft in Vietnam War. Married Diana after returning from the Vietnam War. And the most exciting tour he flew F-111 aircraft in England during the Cold War. Had an interesting assignment at the Pentagon and retired as a Colonel after 28 years of total service. He worked for United Airlines after military service. Currently works for a company that publishes maps for pilots. Committed Christian for over 35 years. He and Diana have five children and four grandchildren.
Listen to an audio recording online or download the MP3 file.
- February 21 ~ Tom Bayless
Active at SGC for almost 20 years; ministered in numerous capacities including adult congregation, chairman of the PFC, and on the Elder Board. He believes his roles as husband and father are his most important responsibilities in Christ’s work. He and his wife, Pam, have raised two children—Robin and Timothy—and have had the privilege of watching them grow into people who love the Lord Jesus and serve Him in their own homes, church and work. Employed by Nortel Corporation, North America Region.
Listen to an audio recording online or download the MP3 file.
- March 7 ~ Lynn Watwood
Has been a committed Christian since the age of forty. Graduate of George Washington University Law School and served in the U. S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division. Served in numerous capacities as an attorney in Denver and Washington, DC. He was the Denver Regional Counsel for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. Currently employed as legal counsel for TMJ Implants Inc. Served as Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. His story also includes his run for the state senate as a Christian conservative, and his victories in four First Amendment federal court cases. He is married to Mary Jo and has two adult children, one grandchild and expecting another one.
Listen to an audio recording online or download the MP3 file.
2008 Speakers
- February 2 ~ Dr. Larry Donnithorne
Committed Christian for over 30 years, married to Fran for 40 years, father of four, SGC elder and chairman, former college president, career army officer, instructor at West Point, Vietnam veteran, enjoys snowboarding and his Harley.
Listen to an audio recording online or download the MP3 file.
- February 16 ~ Chuck Kiker
Long time member of SGC, ministered in numerous capacities including elder and church chairman, married to BiJi for 47 years, two sons, retired in 2006 as aerospace manufacturing manager, Lockheed Martin.
Listen to an audio recording online or download the MP3 file.
- March 1 ~ Bud Kratzer Story
Retired U. S. West 1986, married to Micki for 47 years, father of four, served in numerous leadership roles at SGC including elder and chairman; former business manager for church and school in San Gabriel, California;
avid golfer.
Bud passed away on February 10 before he could tell us his story in person. His widow Micki narrated the story as dictated to her by Bud.
Listen to an audio recording online or download the MP3 file.
- March 15 ~ Dr. Jim Shane
Former member and adult teacher at SGC, married to Janet for 49 years, founder of Lakewood Family Medical Clinic, father of four, retired from Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona.
Listen to an audio recording online or download the MP3 file.
