Bios

Dr Gordon Tessler is a nationally-recognized author, teacher, consultant, and practitioner in the fields of clinical nutrition and biblical health. His books include The Lazy Person's Guide to Better Nutrition, Breaking the Fat Barrier, and The Genesis Diet, which has also been published in Dutch. He and his wife Laura, author of the biblically-based cookbook, Cooking for Life, are co-founders of the Be Well Health Center in Raleigh, NC, where testing and consulting focus on healing the whole person: body, soul, and spirit. They also helped co-found The Healing Rooms of Raleigh, a healing prayer ministry modeled after John G. Lake's ministry in Spokane, WA.

For five years the Tesslers led Beth Lechem, a Messianic Jewish congregation focusing on the Hebraic roots of the Christian faith and restoring Davidic worship. Laura served as worship leader of the congregation. She continues to lead worship at conferences and churches.

The Tesslers travel together teaching seminars on biblical health and healing, as well as the Hebraic foundations of the Christian faith.

Jack Pearson

Mr. Song-Strumming Storyman

Jack is an award-winning musician, storyteller, writer, and recording artist based in Minneapolis. In addition to writing books for children, he tells original and traditional stories, writes and sings songs, and plays many instruments, including his one-and-only amplified toybox lid.

Jack has appeared in many schools, churches, family camps, and conference centers. This is not his first appearance at St Olaf*; he told us he knows the Urness recital hall well. Jack's songs are featured regularly on family-oriented radio stations around the country. We are also pleased to have his wife, Nancy, appearing with him. Nancy and Jack will have a table in our resource room where tapes and CDs of his music will be available for sale.

Errol Lester

Executive Vice President of AIM International

Errol has a Marketing/Management degree; in addition, he has completed several sales and management diplomas for the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. Errol has spent many years in marketing and sales management in both retail and multilevel marketing. He was responsible for the launching of one of the most successful MLM companies in South Africa. He has also consulted for several companies on marketing and advertising, both in retail and network marketing. Eight years ago he launched the South African office of AIM International, and it grew rapidly to become the second largest international office. In 2000, Errol was asked to take the position of Vice President of Member Services at the Nampa office.

In addition to his work, Errol keeps actively involved in his church life. He had preached in many countries and was involved in radio ministry for many years. He is married to Barbara; they have four children and two grandchildren.

Barbara Lester

MSc (Nursing) Wits.

Professor of Nursing

Barbara is a registered nurse and Professor of Nursing at the Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa ID. Barbara maintained a midwife's practice in South Africa for more than 25 years. Prior to coming to the US, Barbara lectured at the University of the Witswatersrand Medical School. She sat on many university and national committees specifically with regard to the education of healthcare professionals. In addition, she has presented papers internationally, in South Africa, Malaysia, Sweden and the US. She is published in journals and has authored a chapter on Safe Motherhood for the book Midwifery.

Barbara has lectured on women's health for the last 15 years. Currently she is completing her PhD in women's health; her dissertation has addressed midlife transition in women.

Errol and Barbara returned at the end of March from a visit to South Africa where they conducted member meetings for AIM around the country. Obviously, Barbara is well qualified to address women's health issues, which have similarities the world over, and about which she spoke in the South African AIM member events.

Sandi Funkhouser

Member Training Manager, AIM International

Sandi began her relationship with the AIM Corporation twelve years ago as a customer service representative. Through the years she had held a variety of positions, including elite services representative, international representative, marketing specialist, and writer for Partners, before moving to member training six years ago. Sandi works with teleclasses, Directors AIMing Higher, conventions, Partners, and member events. She has a theology degree with an education emphasis and has home-educated her own four children. Her writing/verbal/organizing skills are evident in everything she touches. Describing her relationship to us, she says, "My purpose at AIM is to 'help the stars, the AIM members, shine brighter through equipping them with skills, knowledge, and tools for experiencing success in their AIM endeavors." We look forward to having Sandi share her gifts and expertise with us, as she finetunes our knowledge of familiar AIM products and introduces us to the newer ones.

* St Olaf College is a private liberal arts college in Northfield, MN. It is not affiliated with Let's Be Well, Inc.

AIM products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent a disease or illness. Results may vary per person.

Optimal Health Seminar 2004 Speaker Biographies

Gordon S. Tessler PhD

Laura Tessler