TGIW (TEACHING GOD'S INFINITE WISDOM) UPDATE: Each week hundreds of men are meeting around the Greater Kansas City area, nation and world through TGIW. Our Lee's Summit group began on 9/26/01. Please contact Greg Griffin or Rod Handley to find out more about starting a TGIW in your city or church. NOTE: We meet on ZOOM on Tuesday's and on Wednesday's we have a Live/ZOOM combo at The New Stanley Event Space (308 SE Douglas; Lee's Summit, MO). Over 280+ TGIW lessons (starting March 25, 2020) are at: www.youtube.com/c/rodhandley

Other TGIW locations meet around the Greater Kansas City metro area (North Kansas City; Overland Park, Raymore, along with other locations nationwide. See www.tgiw.org for more information.

STRATIA (Derek Handley): In January 2025, Derek launched a new initiative to reach 20's & 30's men. They meet every other Tuesday from 6:30 - 7:15 a.m. at The New Stanley Event Space (308 SE Douglas; Lee's Summit, MO)

THE SHEPHERD'S TOUCH (Patricia Plumb): Patricia is skilled in counseling, leadership development, forgiveness and reconciliation. See earlier information on Patricia and her new book.

GOOD NEWS COACHING & COUNSELING (Glen Nash): Glen joined the CTC team in September 2021 providing coaching, Biblical counseling and consulting services. For many years prior, Glen was on the pastoral staff at Blue Springs Christian Church and served as the lead person for our TGIW-Blue Springs group since 2003. For more information go to: www.GoodNewsCoaching.org Glen can be reached at 816-722-3060 or Glen@GoodNewsCoaching.org

Dr. James Naismith (Inventor of Basketball) Project with Dan Gerdes: Dr. Dan Gerdes, one of CTC's Associate staff members, works at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ as the Director of Mental Performance. He serves 400+ athletes and coaches on campus through the Athletic Department. He also continues his work on a remarkable and very timely Kingdom-based film project. With the endorsement of the Naismith family, Dan began the work to develop a feature film about the life and legacy of basketball's inventor, Dr. James Naismith. Though basketball is just a small piece of his life, Dr. Naismith's Christian faith and service represents a model and message people throughout our communities and around the world need to hear. Part of the vision involves Character that Counts & TGIW as part of the "touch, time, treasure and talent" initiative required to see the project fulfilled. If you'd like to connect with Dan or want to learn more about the project, e-mail him at dangerdes43@gmail.com

GRAND SLAM MINISTRIES (Mark Martinez): Mark joined our staff in January 2024. He is the author of "Hit Your Grand Slam." Mark is an outstanding communicator and we are thrilled to have him part of our team.

MISSION WEALTHY WARRIORS (Steve Sheridan): In November 2011, we launched "Mission Wealthy Warriors" through CTC Associate Staff member (Major Steve Sheridan--US Army). Steve has a remarkable story and he's doing an excellent job in helping equip military personnel with their personal finances. Steve's book, "Waging War on Debt" is available. See PDF above on Steve's November 11 100K Steps. For more information on Steve and MWW, check out the CTC website.

TIME 2 MAN UP MINISTRIES (Dalton Vann): Dalton & Rhonda Vann relocated to Clinton, MO in September 2023. He is a foster parent and teaches at Clinton H.S. Dalton had a stroke on March 9, 2023 and has recovered remarkably well with his speaking, along with everything else checking out positively. Dalton was inducted into the Lee's Summit High School Hall of Fame on April 8, 2023 and was able to publicly speak in a beautiful way after having a stroke a month prior to this date. Dalton continues to be a part of our speaking team with Character that Counts. If you want to know more about Dalton and his work, give him a shout!! His phone is 816-337-6613 and is e-mail is: coachdaltonvann@gmail.com

COLLEKTIVE CO (Damion Cooper): Damion's ministry now has it's own separate 501(c)(3) organization effective late June 2025. Since July 2021, Damion has operated under the Character that Counts umbrella. Damion will continue to have a strong connection to the CTC/TGIW ministry. He spoke at TGIW--Lee's Summit on September 9 & 10. The Collektive Co 2nd Annual GALA will be held on Saturday, November 8 at the Gamber Center in Lee's Summit.

With our full support and blessing, we encourage our CTC/TGIW family to continue to financially and prayerfully support the Collektive Company ministry.

OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE:

LIVE: Life In View of Eternity--This 316-page workbook features 35 character qualities and it includes Quizzes, Exams, Essay, Bible Study, Daily Proverbs, along with Activities and Team Building Exercises. The book is ideal for use with a parent and a teenager; in a Sunday School class; or in a Christian School (suggested for grades 7-12). It can also be utilized by a small group of married couples or singles. Single copies are available, along with a "teacher's edition." Quantity discounts available!!

The teacher's edition "answer key" is sent FREE electronically via a Word Document once your payment is received. The "LIVE" book is being considered by a number of schools nationwide and across the world. Order your copy today!! (NOTE: If you would like to preview a PDF copy of the LIVE book, send me a note and I'll get it out to you right away). A number of other people and ministries across the country are using it in a variety of settings (one-on-one; small/large groups; lecture style; etc.).

Men's, Women's and Teen Accountability Cards (ask about quantity discounts); Accountability Key Chains; Prayer Guides; Covenant Cards; and all of our other books and other merchandise items. See www.characterthatcounts.org for everything available.

Photo from Cancun Trip (November 2024).

HANDLEY FAMILY UPDATE

Brooke (age 32) graduated from CRNA School through the KU Medical Center and successfully passed her boards in May 2025. YEAH!! Becoming a CRNA has been a dream for her since high school. Brooke works at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, WA starting in August 2025. Brooke's house sold in early July and she moved to Washington and did some hiking in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana before arriving in Washington in mid-July. Janna and Rod visited her for the first time since her move in September 2025.

Derek (age 30) joined the CTC staff in June 2023 after serving five years on KLIFE staff. Derek & Mikala have been married 6+ years. They are the proud parents of Rowan Gray (3 years) and Briar May (20 months) and recently announced they will be having their third child (a boy) in late March 2026. Derek teaches monthly at TGIW--Lee's Summit and regularly at the Abundant Life Men's Base Camp. Derek was ordained through Abundant Life Church on March 11. He is the chaplain for the Lee's Summit West football team. He also works for the Kansas City Chiefs as one of the KC Wolf backups. Mikala works one day a week at the NICU unit at St. Luke's East Hospital in Lee's Summit.

Jake (age 29) is the Student Pastor & Missions Pastor at The Bridge Community Church in Ruston, LA. Jake and Micah have been married 4+ years, and Stela Kate Martha Handley was born 4/23/24. Stela is our 3rd grandchild. In September 2025, they entered into a contract to sell their marvelous 140+ year home and they are now under contract to move into a new home on November 21. Jake received his Master of Arts in Christian Education through Southern Theological Seminary in December 2024. He gets the opportunity to preach occasionally at The Bridge and his last time preaching was on July 13. You can check out his sermon(s) on The Bridge's website. Jake and Micah will be traveling to India in November.

Trent (age 24) began his 5th year at the LSR-7 School District (Lee's Summit) as an IT Specialist in June. He bought his first home in November 2022. It's a sweet little duplex and he's very excited to be a homeowner. Trent recently utilized his YouTube expertise by getting our CTC/TGIW YouTube Channel current which is a huge blessing.

**Janna & Rod: Janna (aka Nanna), along with being a full-time grandmother, oversees the shoe section at Hillcrest Thrift Store; assists at the Abundant Life Food Pantry on Wednesday's; and is the Children's Director for Bible Study Fellowship. Rod (Pappa Neesh) is 99% recovered from his "spinal shock" injury incurred in July 2022. All of those pushups and planks helped minimize the damage. During September, we traveled to Richland, WA & Wenatchee, WA to be with Brooke and Rod's family. In November, we are joining all four kids/spouses and grandkids in Nashville, TN. Finally, as many of you know, my pushup/plank regiment which began on August 1, 2019 continues as am over halfway to my goal of doing 1,000,000 pushups. As of September 30, 2025, I have done 523,560 pushups and 19,823 minutes of planks.

As noted earlier, Derek & Mikala bought our house and moved in during May 2023. Rod & Janna moved to their new home in late July 2023. Our address is: 1697 NE Chapel Woods Drive; Lee's Summit, MO 64064. Also, please change my email to: rodhandley@gmail.com and Janna's e-mail is: jannahandley4@gmail.com

Thanks so much for your friendship, support and prayers. You are a great encouragement to us...The Handley's

ARE YOU WANTING TO MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFT to OUR MINISTRY

VIA CREDIT CARD?

You can now make credit/debit card donations to all our of ministries (as noted below) through the Character that Counts website. See link below!!

If you want to set up a monthly gift without going through the website, simply contact Rod at:  rhandley@kc.rr.com and put in the memo line the word -- SQUARE. Rod will contact you to get your credit card information. Monthly gifts are processed on the 14th and 24th of every month. If you want to set up a re-occurring gift you can do so through www.givelify.com

Gifts can be designated towards the following ministries:

• Character that Counts - Rod & Derek Handley
• TGIW - Greg Griffin
• The Shepherd's Touch - Patricia Plumb
• Good News Coaching & Counseling - Glen Nash
• Grand Slam Ministries - Mark Martinez
• Wolves Can't Fly - Dan Meers
• Mission Wealthy Warriors - Steve Sheridan
• The Naismith Project - Dan Gerdes
• Time 2 Man Up - Dalton Vann

Contact Information for CTC Staff Members

Rod & Derek Handley -- Character that Counts (CTC)

816-525-6339 (work)

816-309-7122 (Rod cell) 816-876-7151 (Derek cell)

rhandley@kc.rr.com derekhandley95@gmail.com

TWITTER: @rodhandley

Greg Griffin -- Teaching God's Infinite Wisdom (TGIW)

816-885-1306 (c)

ggriff60@gmail.com

TWITTER: @TGIWdude

WEBSITE: www.tgiw.org

Dan Meers, KC Wolf - Wolves Can't Fly & Mascot on a Mission

www.danmeers.org

dan@danmeers.org

Patricia Plumb -- The Shepherds Touch

913-226-3581 (c)

pplumb@kc.rr.com 

Mark Martinez -- Grand Slam Ministries

913-274-0335 (c)

micah68man@gmail.com 

Glen Nash -- Good News Coaching & Counseling

816-722-3060 (c)

Glen@GoodNewsCoaching.org 

Dalton Vann -- Time 2 Man Up

816-337-6613 (c)

coachdaltonvann@gmail.com

Steve Sheridan -- Mission Wealthy Warriors (MWW)

steve.sheridan@ymail.com

Dan Gerdes - The Naismith Project

dangerdes43@gmail.com