Friends of Ruth

Over the years I have come in contact with some wonderful people.  I would like you to meet them and learn a bit about what they do.   These are the friends that are currently working with me in my ministry.

Huntley Brown: Musical Artist, Instrumentalist
Huntley’s music is described as inspired, anointed, powerful, and explosive.  His music ministry has taken him all over the world, with TV, radio, and concert appearances.  In the U.S., he has performed from coast to coast, with ministry opportunities at churches of every size and denomination.  He earned the Top Caribbean Gospel Instrumentalist Award for 2005 and 2006 and has recorded many CD’s that cover a wide range of musical styles.  And he is the artist-in-residence for the Total Living Network TV station in Chicago.  For more information visit: http://huntleybrown.org

Jason Catron:  Vocalist, Worship Leader
Jason began singing at the age of 2 and, during his formative years, he studied classical and commercial voice with some of the top coaches in the country.  He graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, TN with a degree in Music Business.  Since that time, he has worked in the Christian Music Industry and last year finished his first CD, self-titled, “Jason Catron”.  His desire is to lead people into the presence of God through music. For more information visit: http://www.jasoncatron.com

Steve Wiese: Speaker, Author, Psychologist
Steve is in private practice as a licensed psychologist in Minnesota where he directs the Center for Christian Psychological Services. He is also an ordained Lutheran Pastor on staff at North Heights Church in Arden Hills, Minnesota where he serves as the Director of the North Heights Counseling Clinic, which is currently staffed by 30 volunteer lay counselors. He is responsible for their training and supervision. He has taught and consulted with several other organizations on an occasional basis, including the World Mission Prayer League, the Lay Ministry Training Center, Masters’ Institute, Presbyterian Homes, and Concordia Academy, a Lutheran High School located in St. Paul. In 1989 he taught the principles of Christian Counseling, in Gothenburg, Sweden and Hamburg Germany, and in 1998 in Uppsala and Lund Sweden. Steve’s speaking style is laced with humor as he puts it, “He hopes someday to become the man his dog thinks he is”. Contact Information: The Center for Christian Psychological Services, St. Paul MN, Phone: 651-633-5290.

Jacquie Skog: Speaker, Counselor, Teacher
As a survivor of trauma and abuse, Jacquie’s focus and passion is to restore hope and healing through educating individuals and couples struggling to understand the cause and effects of anger, abuse, and violence in society, or in their own lives. She is a Counselor & Teacher practicing in the Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN area. Contact Information: joyjoskog@comcast.net

Linda Mintle: Speaker, Author, Psychologist
Linda Mintle is a licensed clinical social worker who has been in practice for over 20 years, specializing in marriage and family therapy and food, weight and body image issues. She helped develop the eating disorders program at Eastern Virginia Medical School, served as consultant and group therapist to the Optifast hospital based program, and developed and ran numerous eating disorder and compulsive overeating groups. Her own struggle with food and weight issues began when her oldest brother was killed in a plane crash now believed to be caused by a terrorist bomb. Eating became an emotional way to cope with grief and loss. Freedom came when she realized the role food played in her life and allowed God to heal those hurting places. It is her passion to help others find the needed freedom from body and food obsession. Dr. Linda speaks and writes full time and is also the resident expert for ABC Family’s television show, Living the Life. For Contact: drlindahelps@yahoo.com or http://www.drlindahelps.com

Kim Ketola: Speaker
Kim Ketola produced and hosted Life Redeemed on KTIS-FM from 2004-2005, featuring stories of healing after abortion and expert teaching from Randy Alcorn, John MacArthur, and other prominent pro-life voices. Life Redeemed™ is a 501c3 organization Ketola founded in 2003 to present post-abortion conferences accredited by the State of Minnesota for continuing education of psychologists, therapists and social workers. The Workshop has been presented at conferences including “Unlimited Faith” (MN Assemblies of God), “United for Life” (Bethlehem Baptist, Minneapolis, MN), and “Set Apart” (Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN), as well as dozens of churches. Ketola holds a Bachelor of Science in Ministry from Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN, and trained as a post abortion peer counselor at New Life Family Services in Richfield, MN. Her thirty years of broadcast hosting experience includes KTIS-AM and the network Faith Radio, hosting the interactive Christian talk show, Along the Way since 2005; as well as WCCO Radio and TV, and KS95. She has published articles in the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, MN Christian Chronicle, and her web site http://www.kimketola.com

Aleta Nichols: Speaker
Aleta was adopted at the age of 3 months. She began experimenting with drugs and alcohol as a young, rebellious teen-ager, and after her parents were suddenly killed in a plane crash she plunged into deeper and more dangerous pain-numbing behavior. But God intervened and it changed her life. Aleta is the current Director of the Living Free Ministry at James River Assembly in Ozark, Missouri. Living Free is a vibrant program that offers help for any life-controlling issue faced by individuals or family members and extends even to the correctional facilities. She and her husband, Jerry, are certified instructors with Living Free and are members of the faculty at James River Assembly, where they helped launch an Addiction Recovery Workshop. Recently, Aleta and Jerry were named recipients of the 2007 Distinguished Ministry Award, which is presented annually to one individual or couple who are selected from 2500 churches.

Dr. Don Miles: Speaker
Dr. Miles has authored a small group curriculum, Understanding Depression, for Christians coping with clinical depression. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a BA and MA in psychology, and the University of Northern Colorado with an Ed D in counseling. For twenty years he worked in public mental health systems, serving in Colorado, Georgia, and New York. After completing seminary, Don was Sr. Pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Queens, NY, for 10 years, and from 1991-2000, was Sr. Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Denver, where he remains on a part-time basis. He also remains active in support group ministry and is a member of the Board of Directors of Living Free Ministries in Chattanooga, TN.

Tal Prince: Speaker
Tal is the founding pastor of Tapestry of Hope, a unique community of Christ-followers in Birmingham, Alabama. A popular speaker and creative communicator, Tal has a passion to call followers of Christ to lead lives of transparency and the transformational freedom we have in the Gospel. At 8 years old, Tal was exposed to pornography. He developed an addiction to pornography and sex that enslaved him until he was 32. He had a highly successful ten year career in international business before surrendering to a call to full-time ministry. He also currently serves as the Director of External Relations for Beeson Divinity School, and has worked with the Billy Graham team during their last 10 years of crusades. James Talbert Prince, Jr. (Tal) B.B.A. Emory University Business School, M.Div., Beeson Divinity School of Samford University.

Cheryl Torain: Speaker
Cheryl is a resident of Baltimore, MD and is a widow with two adult daughters. She is a member of and accountable to Pastor Wayne Cockrell of Genesis Bible Fellowship Church of Baltimore, MD. And, she currently serves as the Director of the Women’s Ministry Leadership Council. In October 1972, Cheryl received Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. She teaches at seminars, retreats, conferences, and workshops, and has an extensive teaching tape ministry. Cheryl has written a gospel tract entitled “Gods Woman: His Special Creation”. She has appeared on various TV and radio stations and she has had opportunities to sing and teach in West Africa, India, and Brazil. For more information visit: http://www.cheryltorain.com.

Jim and Mary Whitmer: Photographers, Artists

Serving as conference photographers are Jim and Mary Whitmer,  professional freelancers from Wheaton, IL.  Together, they work with a wide range of ministry and commercial clients providing custom assignment work, as well as stock photography.  Jim’s first Ruth Graham and Friends conference was the Virginia Beach event held in Sept. of 2006, and has been at each one since.    One of his key projects is to provide a photo-based follow up of each conference and has been managing a web site for prayer and financial supporters at: http://www.ruthgrahamreports.com    Jim and Mary’s professional portfolio web site is: http://www.whitmers.com and they also work closely with churches across the country and also internationally with a worship resource web site: http://www.worshipphotos.com

Jim Speers, Executive Director of Ruth Graham Ministries. With years of corporate experience,  most recently with American Management Services, Jim brings broad management, sales and marketing experience to Ruth Graham Ministries. He is a creative problem solver with years of experience in non-profit development. He is married to Lucinda and the father of Ellen, a student at William and Mary. He lives near Charlottesville, Virginia.

Randall Bayne, CEO of Christian Music Presenters, is a consultant to Ruth Graham Ministries. An ordained Baptist minister he brings years of Christain service and depth and to our work.