Sept. 12 FriendsTalks: Gary Thomas
Friends University is hosting a lecture series featuring local and national experts of philosophy, religion and spirituality. With a diverse array of speakers, each event is sure to teach our community something new and substantial about the way we see the world. FriendsTalks events will be free and open to the public.
Talks take place at 7 p.m. in the Alumni Auditorium on the Friends University campus.
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Sacred Pathways: Listen to Gary Thomas Speak
“This book and workshop have been beloved by so many for over twenty years. Gary’s work has been quoted by and used in sermons and books by such notables as Rick Warren, Andy Stanley, Les Parrott, John Ortberg, and many others. It’s based on the premise that we connect best with God and grow spiritually in one of nine unique ways. Learn how to lean into your spiritual temperament and how to appreciate other people who engage with God differently.
Gary will describe the nine spiritual temperaments and encourage you to investigate the ways you most naturally express yourself in your relationship with God. Thomas will help you discover the traits, strengths, and tendencies in your devotional approach so you can eliminate the barriers that keep you locked into rigid methods of worship and praise.
It’s by the design of a Creator who knew what he was doing and who has unique intentions for you. Discover the route you were destined to travel, marked by growth and filled with the riches of a close walk with God.”
Gary Thomas’ writing and speaking focuses on bringing people closer to Christ and closer to others. He is the author of over 20 books that together have sold two million copies and have been translated into more than a dozen languages. These books include When to Walk Away: Finding Freedom from Toxic People; Sacred Marriage: What if God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy?, The Sacred Search: What If It’s Not About Who You Marry, but Why?, and the Gold Medallion award winner Authentic Faith.
Gary holds a B.A. in English Literature from Western Washington University, an MA degree in systematic theology from Regent College (Vancouver, BC), and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Western Seminary (Portland, OR).
He is the teaching pastor at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado and an adjunct faculty member at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Gary’s speaking ministry has led him to speak in all 50 states and nine different countries, and on numerous national television and radio programs, including multiple appearances on Focus on the Family and Family Life Today. Gary’s interviews on Focus on the Family have been chosen among the “Best of 2013,” “Best of 2014” “Best of 2017” “Best of 2021” and “Best of 2022.”
Gary enjoys running in his spare time and has completed 14 marathons, including the Boston Marathon three times. He and his wife Lisa have been married for 39 years and they have three adult children and two grandchildren.
Pastor, professor and award-winning author
Gary is active online through his website (www.garythomas.com), twitter (@garyLthomas) Facebook (www.facebook.com/authorgarythomas) Substack, (https://garythomasbooks.substack.com/) and Instagram (garythomasbooks)