Transform Ideas St. Cloud

LIFE TO FLOURISH

Living out the Gospel of Life and Human Dignity

Transform Ideas: Life to Flourish will call on the Church to live out the Gospel of life by advocating for the inherent value of all vulnerable people. A variety of experts will look at some of the complex issues that have contributed to the degradation of life and offer practical insights into how Christians can support the whole person, bolstering the value and dignity in all of God’s children.

This Transform Ideas St. Cloud forum will take a holistic approach in caring for people at their most vulnerable stages of life, for example; the unborn, the elderly, the disabled, the impoverished, people impacted by childhood trauma and foster children.

We believe God’s call is on the Church to create a society where all life will flourish, by caring for all peoples’ spiritual, emotional, and physical needs.

SPEAKERS

Jason Adkins | Minnesota Catholic Conference

Jason Adkins has served as the executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference since March 2011. Prior to his advocacy work for the Church, Jason was an attorney at the Institute for Justice, a public interest law firm. Jason has clerked for both state and federal appellate judges, and received his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he has served as an adjunct professor.

Jason is a regular presenter at parishes and at organizations around Minnesota, and continues to serve as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas. He writes a regular column that appears in diocesan newspapers, and his work has also appeared in numerous secular publications and journals. He frequently appears in the media, and serves on many corporate boards and advisory councils.  He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota), and resides in Saint Paul with his family.

Tom Gonzalez | Bridges of Hope

Tom is the Self-Healing Communities Project co-coordinator at Bridges of Hope and has been in ministry for almost twenty years. He grew up in an alcoholic family and has personally experienced the toxic stress that environment produces. One of his passions in ministry is pastoral counseling, where he works with a variety of people helping them work through their life struggles. Tom has his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Crown College in Pastoral Ministry and Church Leadership, respectively, and is currently working on his doctorate at Bethel Seminary researching ACEs and their effects on resiliency in pastoral ministry.

Elisia Kraemer | New Life Family Services

Elisia Kraemer comes from a political science background and has been with New Life Family Services for seven years. In addition to her role as Parenting Education Manager for each of their First Care Pregnancy Center offices, she serves as the Director of Community Relations and creates community partnerships to better support First Care families. Elisia is currently implementing a new Parenting program, and is excited to offer classes within the next year at their new Minneapolis location in the Phillips community, which is also where Elisia and her husband live.