"Parables, Pains and Promise!"

We are called by God to be Easter people in a Good Friday world! We do this by celebrating life in the midst of the worries, woes, and wars in us and around us. God's promise, through Christ in our baptism, is that we will always be His because His love and forgiveness is always "now."

Noted Lutheran speaker Dr. Rich Bimler will focus his presentations on how we continue to celebrate life in the Lord through the pains, pressures, and problems of life. We will be encouraged to celebrate aging as God's gift. . . and to affirm that "aging is the only way to live!" Rich will challenge us older adults to be "bolder adults" as we live out Psalm 145:4: "One generation will commend your works to another . . . ."

Always edifying and inspiring, Rich Bimler is sure to put a smile on your face...if not a hearty laugh in the belly. Come join us as we celebrate the "promise years" of faith in the Lord!

Dr. Rich Bimler, Bloomingdale, Illinois, has served the Church in various positions throughout his 47-year ministry career. He repositioned in 2006 after serving for 15 years as President/CEO of Wheat Ridge Ministries. He continues to serve them part-time as Senior Staff Associate, as well as serving as the Ambassador of Health, Hope, and Aging! (AH-HA!) for Lutheran Life Communities, Arlington Heights, Illinois. He also continues to write, speak, and consult with other agencies and organizations throughout the world.

He is the author of 15 books and continues to celebrate life with his 7 grandkids (photos available upon request!), 3 grown children, and 1 wife, Hazel!

Rich is a graduate of Valparaiso University, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and has done post-graduate work at other institutions. He has been honored by Concordia University, Irvine; Concordia College, Bronxville; and Concordia University, Chicago, with honorary degrees. He serves on numerous boards and advisory groups. He was recently selected as one of the top 150 graduates of Valparaiso University during VU's 150th aniversary celebration.

His previous ministries in St. Louis (LCMS National Staff), Minneapolis (District Executive,Youth, Evangelism, and Social Ministry, Minnesota South), Kansas City (DCE), and Houston (Youth Ministry Director) provided him many exciting opportunities to celebrate life in the name of the healing Christ! He served in St. Louis with the LCMS Youth Ministry staff as Executive Director and as an Assistant to the President of the LCMS, 1989-91.

His latest publication is "Holy Habits for the Holy Season of Lent", published by Creative Communications, St. Louis. Watch for his new Advent Devotional booklet, "The AH-HA's of Advent," due out in late summer, 2010, from Creative Communications.

Rich continues to enjoy his family, jogging, St. Arbucks, writing, laughing, and, of course, the Chicago Cubs!