Family Resource Initiative

What a wonderful and encouraging message today at Lunch & Learn! In case you missed Dan Carlson - catch up online at

How to Experience More Joy in Your Life Would you like to experience more joy in your life? Very few people would answer that question, “No,” but circumstances, stress, anxiety and relationships ca...

One week from today, we welcome Wooddale's Care Pastor, Dan Carlson, to share about JOY! If you know Dan, you know he is a joy spreader!

Would you like to experience more joy in your life? Very few people would answer that question, “No,” but circumstances, stress, anxiety and relationships can rob us of joy.

In this Lunch & Learn presentation, you will learn how anyone can experience more joy. Speaker Dan Carlson will encourage you in your journey toward a more joy-filled life through practical teaching from real-life experiences.

Dan brings his contagious enthusiasm, heart for ministry, joy and love of Jesus and people to his Wooddale care pastor role. He delights in seeing lives transformed by the love and power of Christ. Dan and his wife, Sarah, enjoy time with their kids, grandkids and friends, being outdoors, traveling, exploring communities and mastering the art of backyard grilling.

Hope to see you there!

Register at: https://familyresource.info/august-22-how-to-experience-more-joy-in-your-life/

Follow along with today’s Lunch & Learn on passive, assertive, passive-aggressive and aggressive bl communication here. This seminar provides great insight into our communication patterns and relationships.

Knowing the Difference Between Passive, Assertive, Passive-Aggressive and Aggressive Communication Todd Mulliken is our speaker at our August 8th Lunch & Learn. This interactive session delves into the distinctions between passive, assertive, passive-aggre...

Todd Mulliken is our speaker at our August 8th Lunch & Learn. This interactive session delves into the distinctions between passive, assertive, passive-aggressive, and aggressive communication. This seminar will equip participants with practical insights and strategies. From understanding the impact of passive communication to cultivating assertiveness and addressing passive-aggressive behaviors, attendees will gain valuable tools to enhance their interpersonal skills. Join us for a concise exploration of communication dynamics, empowering you to express yourself effectively, build healthier relationships and confidently navigate professional and personal challenges.

Todd Mulliken, MS, LPCC, is a counselor, author and speaker. He owns Mulliken Counseling Center in Edina, where he provides counseling for individuals and couples. Todd speaks about mental health at various venues, including schools and churches.

Register at:

August 8: Knowing the Difference Between Passive, Assertive, Passive-Aggressive and Aggressive Communication – Family Resource Initiative This interactive session delves into the distinctions between passive, assertive, passive-aggressive and aggressive communication and equips participants with practical insights and strategies. From understanding the impact of passive communication to cultivating assertiveness and addressing passive...

Follow along with today’s Lunch & Learn with Jenny Caterer here:

- YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

We are so looking forward to having Jenny Caterer speak at our next Lunch & Learn next week! After giving birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl following years of infertility, miscarriages and high-risk pregnancies, Jenny Caterer and her husband, Matt, were on top of the world. Just eight weeks later, their world came crashing down when Jenny was diagnosed out of the blue with incurable cancer, leaving the couple uncertain she would survive to see their daughter’s first birthday.

The physical and emotional pain grew exponentially worse one week after her diagnosis when Jenny went paralyzed from her ribs to her toes due to the largest of the tumors compressing her spinal cord. She was not expected to have the muscle strength to sit up in a chair ever again, let alone care for her infant daughter. In that moment, her already-broken world crumbled, and her faith was put to the test.

In this seminar, you will hear Jenny Caterer’s remarkable story and learn practical ways to help others going through unimaginable trials of their own. Or perhaps you are in a season of pain and unanswered questions and desperately need to hear that you are not alone, forgotten or abandoned. During this Lunch and Learn seminar, you will be reminded that there is hope for you! You will leave this seminar with tools to take the next (or first) step away from desperation and doubt and onto a path of hope and healing.

We hope to see you there!

Register at:

August 1: When Your World Crumbles: Hope for Sufferers – Family Resource Initiative After giving birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl following years of infertility, miscarriages and high-risk pregnancies, Jenny Caterer and her husband, Matt, were on top of the world. Just eight weeks later, their world came crashing down when Jenny was diagnosed out of the blue with incurable c...

Follow along with today’s Lunch & Learn here:

A Surprising Gift for Your Marriage The Bible has so much to teach us about marriage. Join Jim and Stephanie Teal as they share about an amazing and beautiful gift from God that has transformed...

We welcome Jim and Stephanie Teal for our next Lunch & Learn THIS Thursday! The Bible has so much to teach us about marriage. Join Jim and Stephanie Teal as they share about an amazing and beautiful gift from God that has transformed their marriage and will bless your marriage as well.

Jim and Stephanie Teal have been married for 32 years and have three adult children. Jim has a career in equipment finance, and Stephanie retired after a career in banking. They are Wooddale members and direct the re|engage Marriage Ministry. Jim and Stephanie love Jesus — and marriage!

Register at:

July 25: A Surprising Gift For Your Marriage – Family Resource Initiative The Bible has so much to teach us about marriage. Join Jim and Stephanie Teal as they share about an amazing and beautiful gift from God that has transformed their marriage and will bless your marriage as well.

Ever wonder what goes into fueling the Minnesota Vikings? Today’s Lunch & Learn is so informative. Check it out here:

Nutrition Practices for Everyday Healthy Living and Pro Football Performance We are thrilled to have Dr. Oluremi (Remi) Famodu-Jackson, Head Sports Dietitian for the Minnesota Vikings, here with us for our June 20, 2024 Lunch & Learn!...

Boxed Lunches are now available for the Summer Lunch & Learns! Only available if ordered ahead of time!
Register at: https://familyresource.info/lunch-and-learn/

We are thrilled to have Dr. Oluremi (Remi) Famodu-Jackson, Head Sports Dietitian for the Minnesota Vikings, here with us for our next Lunch & Learn on June 20th! She will share her path to working with professional athletes and what a typical workweek looks like while providing nutrition care to elite athletes. She will share information on nutrition for healthy weight management.

Dr. Famodu-Jackson serves as the Head Sports Dietitian for the Minnesota Vikings. While attending graduate school at West Virginia University, she studied sleep, its impact on performance and nutrition among female athletes and a healthy diet’s effects on gut bacteria in young adults. At WVU, she worked alongside the sports dietitian to help serve the student-athlete nutritional needs, worked in a small-bed hospital and was the dietitian for two weight management clinics. Before settling into a more permanent career outside of academia, Oluremi was a post-doctoral student at the University of Florida before becoming Twin Cities Orthopedics’ first full-time dietitian and manager of TCO’s nutrition department. Her current specialties include nutrition for exercise/sport, weight management, food sensitivities and overall quality of life.

Register at: https://familyresource.info/june-20-nutrition-practices-for-everyday-healthy-living-and-pro-football-performance/

Lunch & Learn | 12-1 | Free

Family Resource Initiative Help, hope and healing.

The support you need to connect you to a brighter future.

Summer is here and Lunch & Learns are in full swing! Our first Lunch & Learn this summer is with Doctor of Physical Therapy, Andrew Moran.

Summer is a great time to start paying more attention to your exercise routine. In this seminar, we’ll look at several exercise strategies you can use to energize your summer. Whether new to an exercise routine or an experienced athlete, this seminar will help you get healthier and more strategic about your exercise goals.
Andrew Moran is a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in orthopedics and sports medicine rehabilitation to allow people to move to a healthier life. He strongly believes in equipping people with the tools to reduce the risk of future injuries and build resilience and confidence.

Join us! Register at: https://familyresource.info/exercise-strategies-to-energize-your-summer/

Lunch and Learn | 12-1 | Free

Family Resource Initiative Help, hope and healing.

The support you need to connect you to a brighter future.

We have had a great season of Lunch & Learns and are looking forward to what is coming up next! We are kicking off the summer series with Exercise Strategies to Energize your Summer with Andrew Moran on June 6th. Looking forward to seeing you this summer!

Register at: https://familyresource.info/lunch-and-learn/

In case you missed today's impactful message- check it out here!

Creating and Instilling Family Values Rooted in timeless wisdom, this Lunch & Learn is designed to inspire and guide individuals and families in fostering a strong foundation of values that stand...

We hope you will join us for our next Lunch & Learn this Thursday with Jon Odom!

Rooted in timeless wisdom, this Lunch & Learn is designed to inspire and guide individuals and families in fostering a strong foundation of values that stand the test of time.

In a constantly changing world, the need for solid moral and spiritual principles within the family unit has never been more critical. This seminar explores the rich tapestry of Christian teachings and how they can be woven into the fabric of your family life, providing a compass for navigating the complexities of the modern world.

Jonathon Odom is a husband, father and follower of Christ. Jon has obtained multiple degrees from Liberty University, including his undergraduate, master's and Ph.D. in the fields of biomedical science, anatomy and cell biology. Jon teaches in the Physician Assistant program as an adjunct faculty member at Bethel University. Although Jon loves teaching about God and His attributes as Creator, he felt called into ministry and has joined Wooddale Church as the campus pastor at The Avenue, a Wooddale campus located at the University of Minnesota. Jon also serves as the vice president of Men of the Kingdom, a non-profit organization that empowers and equips the next generation of moral leaders in the Church. Jon is passionate about discipleship and living life on mission.

Lunch & Learn | Free | 12-1

Register at: https://familyresource.info/may-23-creating-instilling-family-values/

Follow along with today’s Lunch & Learn event with Dr. Bill Harley here:

His Needs, Her Needs The Family Resource Initiative is pleased to welcome Dr. Willard Harley to our May 16, 2024 Lunch & Learn. During the event, Dr. Harley will introduce the co...

Join us this Thursday as we hear from Dan Schauer!

This Lunch & Learn seminar will give you the basics of camping and some suggestions to help you and your family have a great time. You will also learn how camping can be a time of connecting with God, nature and other campers that can change your life — and your family's!

Dan earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota and a master’s in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He served as an associate pastor in Pasadena, California, before returning to Minnesota to plant New Heights Community Church in Inver Grove Heights. In 2021, New Heights merged with Crossroads Church, where Dan now serves as the IGH Campus Pastor. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Register at: https://familyresource.info/may-9-an-introduction-to-camping-for-families/

Lunch & Learn | 12-1 | Free

Family Resource Initiative Help, hope and healing.

The support you need to connect you to a brighter future.

The Family Resource Initiative is pleased to welcome Dr. Willard Harley to our May 16 Lunch & Learn. During the event, Dr. Harley will introduce the concepts of his book, His Needs, Her Needs, which was first published in 1986.

Although it was written to be a support text for his marriage counseling program, within three years, it had become a national best-seller and a basic reference for marriage counselors nationwide.

Time after time, His Needs, Her Needs has topped the charts as the best marriage book available. It identifies the 10 most vital needs of men and women and shows spouses how to identify and satisfy those needs in each other.

Millions of couples have learned to keep the romance alive by reading His Needs, Her Needs. With emphasis on building romantic love and extraordinary care for each other. You will discover that an outstanding marriage can be more than a dream — it can be your reality.

Please join us and register at: https://familyresource.info/may-16-his-needs-her-needs/

Lunch & Learn | 12-1 | Free

Family Resource Initiative Help, hope and healing.

The support you need to connect you to a brighter future.

Tomorrow's Lunch & Learn has been cancelled. Hope to see you next week at National Day of Prayer in the Great Room from 12-1.

The re|engage ministry is making an impact on so many marriages. With practical teaching, marriage stories, small groups and a fantastic workbook that couples discuss weekly; we are seeing couples reconnect, reignite and resurrect their marriages. Great marriages don’t just happen - they take work and a commitment to sacrificial love. Tonight’s session on emotionally intimacy is a game changer in marriage.

For more information visit:

https://familyresource.info/re-engage/

Our premarital seminar is taking place today. Every year the Family Resource Initiative offers the premarital seminar to prepare couples for marriage. Great speakers present on:

The Biblical Basis for Marriage
The Five Love Languages
Finances in Marriage
Sexual Intimacy
Making Marriage Last

Many of us feel tension and a desire for change to happen, whether it’s in our homes, our neighborhoods, our workplaces, or our communities. Unfortunately, many questions arise that prevent us from knowing our part in navigating that change: How do I know if it’s the right change? How can I tell if others want that change? What’s my part in making change happen? How do I know if the change was worth it? Join us as Derek Baerenwald shares some of his insights as he has led through various changes and come away with a plan to navigate change in your own world.

Derek Baerenwald is a husband, father of three and campus pastor at our Edina campus. He holds degrees from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul. Before joining the pastoral staff at Wooddale, Derek spent several years at Ecolab helping teams and customers make the world cleaner, safer and healthier across many industries, and grew in his own faith along the way.

Derek and his wife Alesha are passionate about equipping men, women, couples, parents and children to follow Jesus, be changed by Jesus and live on mission with Jesus through 1:1 mentoring and discipleship. They’re excited to encourage each generation to walk confidently in God’s love through Jesus and be a light in the communities they live and work. Derek loves learning new languages and connecting with cultures, enjoys roasting coffee, and is excited to connect and hear your story.

Register at: https://familyresource.info/april-25-how-to-read-the-room/

Lunch & Learn | 12-1 | Free | Room 105

Follow along with Sinai Thao’s Lunch & Learn here:

Loving and Helping Someone in Addiction Sinai Thao, will be sharing about how to love and help someone in addiction on April 18th! Sinai has a heart for helping others and sharing his testimony, it...

Our very own, Sinai Thao, will be sharing about how to love and help someone in addiction on April 18th! Sinai has a heart for helping others and sharing his testimony, it will be an impactful presentation!

Loving and helping someone who is trapped in addiction can feel like an overwhelming challenge. Sinai Thao knows what it is like to walk alongside those who are struggling with addiction, and he knows what it is like to be an addict who needed family and friends to walk alongside of him. In this seminar, Sinai will talk about how to navigate life and engage with those who are struggling with substance abuse.

Sinai Thao is the Director of Recover at Wooddale Church. He also works at Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge with those who are seeking to find freedom and hope from substance abuse. He recently graduated from college with his bachelor’s in Christian Ministry and became a licensed pastor. He is continuing his education in the graduate program at North Central University, with the desire to get his masters in Christian Leadership. Sinai enjoys working those in recovery because he too had an addiction himself. By the grace of God, Sinai has overcome a 20-year addiction to alcohol and nearly a 10-year addiction to co***ne. During this time, he faced many health battles, including flatlining in 2017 and a heart attack in 2019. Today, Sinai has been sober for over five years and has overcome many of the health challenges from his past.

Register at: https://familyresource.info/april-18-loving-and-helping-someone-in-addiction/

Lunch & Learn | 12-1 | Free | Room 105

Family Resource Initiative Help, hope and healing.

The support you need to connect you to a brighter future.

Adam Sidler is teaching right now at today’s Lunch & Learn. Follow along right here:

How Actively Listening Will Lead Others to Follow The ultimate reversal: telling doesn’t cause others to follow; listening does. A leader that gains respect and trust from others actively listens to their ne...

We welcome back Adam Sidler on April 11th! He will be sharing about the importance of listening- you won't want to miss it!

The ultimate reversal: telling doesn’t cause others to follow; listening does. A leader that gains respect and trust from others actively listens to their needs, ideas, and frustrations.
Adam Sidler is first and foremost following Jesus, constantly being changed by Him, and committed to His mission. God blessed Adam immensely with his gorgeous wife and two amazing kids. You can often catch Adam cruising around on his Royal Enfield motorcycle or in his Jeep with the top off. But you will most likely find him with a cup of coffee in his hand. Adam has served as a pastor at various churches in Indiana and Minnesota for the past 20 years. Most recently, before coming to Wooddale, Adam was the Senior Pastor at a fellow Converge church in the Twin Cities. He received his master’s degree from Grace Theological Seminary and his doctorate in congregation and family care from Bethel University. Adam serves on the board of directors for The Respite, a place of hope and healing for pastors and their families, and also is the executive team leader for From Scattered to Gathered, a Converge ministry focused on revealing the gospel to least-reached immigrant populations in the Twin Cities. Adam is passionate about seeing the church live out its mission of being empowered by the Holy Spirit as it steps forth to be God’s witness to the world (Acts 1:8).

Register at: https://familyresource.info/april-11-how-actively-listening-will-lead-others-to-follow/

Lunch & Learn | 12-1 | Free | Room 105