Rod Handley

Rod Handley is the Founder and President of Character That Counts, a ministry that was established in July 2000. Rod is also the co-founder of TGIW ("Teaching Guys Infinite Wisdom") a ministry which began in Lee's Summit, MO in September 2001. Today, TGIW groups are meeting all over the world.

Rod served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) until his departure in May 2000. Rod began working for FCA in 1986, initially serving in Seattle as the Assistant State Director for Washington. He moved to Kansas City in 1989 to work at the FCA National Headquarters.

Rod has published 13 books including, Character Counts-Who's Counting Yours? which details how to begin the process of being accountable to one another. The book is a practical tool for helping people who desire to be people of character and integrity. A detailed description of Rod's other books can be found on the Order/Contact page on the website. The book titles are as follows:

 

• Transparent Living: Living A Life of Integrity
• Character Counts Bible Study Guide
  
• Character Counts for Quiet Time and Small Groups, Volume 1 
• Character Counts for Quiet Time and Small Groups, Volume 2
  
• Character Counts for Quiet Time and Small Groups, Volume 3
  
• Team Studies on Character, Volume 1
• Team Studies on Character, Volume 2
• Team Studies on Character, Volume 3
• Team Studies on Character, Volumne 4
• Team Studies on Character, Volume 5 
  
• Team Studies on Character, Volume 6 (BRAND NEW)
  
•  One Way 2 Play--Athletes Edition
  
• One Way 2 Play--Coaches Edition, written by FCA President Dal Shealy.

Rod is a popular retreat and banquet speaker with men's and women's groups, singles and married. Rod averages about 250 speaking engagements each year, and is gifted in sharing with all ages. In the past several years, he has been a speaker for Christian Management Association, Gospel Rescue Missions, The National Coalition of Men's Ministries, Pro Athletes Outreach, Stonecroft--Christian Women's Clubs, The Gathering, Great Commission Ministries, Athletes in Action, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Young Life, Navigators, Church and Sports Recreation Ministers, MOPS, Sertoma, Christian Businessmen's Committee and numerous public and private schools, churches and corporations.

Rod has also spoken at a number of colleges and universities across America including: FCA College Retreats for the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Kansas, Indiana and Iowa; Liberty University; Greenville College, College of the Ozarks, Southwest Missouri State; William Jewell College; Kansas State U; Northwest Missouri State; Missouri BSU State College Convention; Missouri BSU Single Adult Conference; Glorietta Student Week; CrossSeeker's Conference in New Orleans; Ivy Jungle Conference Speaker and Seminar leader.

He's shared at chapel programs for collegiate and professional teams over the past twenty five years including: Nebraska Cornhuskers, Missouri Tigers, Washington Huskies, Liberty University, Florida State University, San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Anaheim Angels, Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Orlando Magic. In 2007 and 2008, he lead the Bible Study for the Kansas City Royals.

A graduate of Central Washington University, Rod was a 4-year letterman and starter on the football team, and earned Academic All-American honors during his senior year. He also earned his CPA license while working for Ernst and Whinney, prior to joining FCA. He is an ordained minister and served as the chaplain for the Seattle SuperSonics from 1986-89.

Rod and his wife, Janna, have four children, Brooke (16), Derek (14), Jake (13) and Trent (9) and reside in Lee's Summit, Missouri.

 

 

Greg Griffin

Greg serves as the Vice President of Character That Counts and the Executive Director of the TGIW. Greg joined the CTC staff on January 1, 2003. Previously, Greg served for over 18 years on several church staffs, fulfilling various ministry roles such as Student Pastor, Single Adult Pastor, Recreation Pastor and Associate Pastor.

A graduate of Wayland Baptist University, Greg’s passion for ministry is permeated with a desire for people to see the supremacy and the glory of God in all things. Greg is frequently used as a retreat, conference, and banquet speaker with men’s groups and couples. Greg’s tender heart and compassion for people are communicated wherever he speaks.

Greg and his wife, Sharon, have been married since 1981 and have two grown children (and a beautiful daughter-in-law) and reside in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

 

 

Luke Bowers

Luke Bowers is the Dean of Students for Sherwood Christian Academy in Albany, GA. He served on the staff of CTC from August 1, 2006 through June 1, 2007. While working for CTC, Luke oversaw the development of a curriculum for secondary age students which will be published in late 2007. The character curriculum can be utlized in schools, homes, and churches.

Luke has been in Christian education for the past 9 years. He got his start at Bethesda Christian School in Fort Worth, Texas. He served there as a teacher, athletic director, and coach. Prior to going to Georgia, he served as high school principal at Lee’s Summit Community Christian School in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Luke graduated from Southwest Baptist University in 1997 with a Bachelor’s degree in education. Since then he has earned a Masters degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His passion is to see the youth of today live a life that is worthy of Christ and to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has been married since 1997 to his wife Erin. They have two daughters.

Coach Bill Stutz

William J Stutz  (Bill) –     Born 9/18/60 in Buffalo, NY - Born again into eternity  1/22/1981

Married Valerie on 8/14/82

Children

Trevor, 23 – Attends Wichita State University pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy He is a graduate of Missouri St. University where he earned a Presidential Academic Scholarship.

Logan, 21 – Attends Washburn University on a Basketball Scholarship: Studying to be a Physical Education teacher and coach.

Garrett, 19 – Attends Wichita State University on a Basketball Scholarship; Studying Finance in their School of Business

Maddi, 14 – Currently at Oak Park High School

Bill and Val met during their senior year at Slippery Rock State University in Pennsylvania. He studied communication there while playing both basketball and baseball. During the summer of 1982, Bill traveled with Athletes In Action to Panama and Brazil on a basketball mission trip.
In 1984, Bill and Val moved to Kansas City. Bill began working at the JCPenney Catalog Distribution Center in Lenexa, KS as a front line Supervisor. In 1990 he was promoted to the Quality Circle Facilitator position and stayed there until he resigned in 1992.
It was at that point he felt God’s calling into full-time ministry with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Bill was involved with FCA since 1988 and was the Kansas City Volunteer of the Year in 1990. Bill served as the Kansas City Area Director until 1999.
That was when he branched out on his own and started Enjoy The Game: a character based education and sportsmanship program that encouraged behavior modification for all those involved in youth sports. He worked there for the next five years before being called back to FCA-KC.
Bill is now committed and trained to be a Christian Life Coaching. He fully believes God has prepared him for this impactful opportunity. He has received his Life Coaching Certification from the American Association of Christian Counseling and Light University.

It is said that a good Life Coach has many life experiences. Those who know Bill know he has been through a tremendous life journey. He has experienced many “Highs” and “Lows” including a massive life threatening health issue. There is no doubt that Bill believes whole heartedly in the providence of God and all these things in his life have happened for a purpose. His professional life focus will now be dedicated to “Coach healthy Christian men on their journey to an effective and purpose life.”

CTC ASSOCIATE STAFF

CTC has over 40 Staff Associates to help communicate the CTC message across the nation. 2 Timothy 2:2 says, “And the things which you have heard from me….entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

There are over 400,000 churches in America and countless schools, businesses and other organizations wherein many are eager to have our ministry assist with character development issues. Rod and Greg would love to personally share our message with every church, school, business and sport team in America, but it is not humanly possible. The only way to penetrate the masses is by sharing CTC with those who will commit to share it with others.

CTC identified an initial group of 45 talented and godly men and women who are equipped to carry the CTC message all around the country. They range from business executives to pastors. They are scattered across America with a passion to communicate Biblical truth to audiences of all ages. These people made five commitments to the Lord and CTC when they joined our Associate Staff:
1) Become a CTC Partner (see our website for details)
2) Establish at least one TGIW group in his city, community or church
3) Be part of an active accountability group
4) Be available to share at CTC Weekends and other venues as the Lord so directs
5) Have the full endorsement and sign-off of his pastor, accountability group and spouse/children.

Each person was challenged to model the CTC message in his home, church and community and then to be faithful in passing it on to others. Here are the people who are now part of the CTC staff.

Click here to see a list of the current CTC Associates and their biographies.