Grandparenting Teens? Don't Let Go: Mark Gregston And Larry Fowler
Grandparenting teenagers? Then you likely know the stakes are high—and you can’t afford to phone this one in. Authors Mark Gregston and Larry Fowler help you engage in ways that matter and make an impact that keeps echoing.
Meet Series Guests
Larry Fowler
Larry Fowler is the founder of Legacy Coalition, a national ministry focused on equipping Christian grandparents to fulfill their biblical role of impacting grandchildren. He has nearly 50 years of pursuing his calling to children’s ministry, beginning as a youth pastor, then missionary, then international trainer (in 47 different countries), and senior executive with Awana Clubs International. He has years of experience writing children’s ministry curriculum. He is the author of the best-selling books, Rock Solid Kids and Raising a Modern-Day Joseph, as well as several other books on children’s ministry, parenting, and grandparenting. He has been featured in parenting videos by Focus on the Family and is a frequent main-stage and breakout speaker at conferences and seminars. His latest book is Overcoming Grandparenting Barriers.
In 2012, he was the recipient of the Legacy Award from the International Network of Children’s Ministry, recognizing him for his lifelong impact upon children’s ministry in America. That same year, Larry felt God’s call to a new focus—grandparenting—and he and his wife Diane moved to Riverside, California to be closer to his son and daughter-in-law as they started their family.
In 2016, Larry followed his new calling, and led the launch of the Legacy Coalition. This launch was the catalyst for a national grandparenting movement. This movement calls Christian grandparents to become intentional in perpetuating faith in their families and is characterized by grandparents first realizing their biblical role and their potential for spiritual influence, and then becoming purposeful in their interactions with their grandchildren.
Now, its 70-plus staff members and key volunteers serve local churches and equip grandparents through podcasts, webinars, blogs, printed materials, and other resources. They also conduct the only national conference on Christian grandparenting, the Legacy Grandparenting Summit.
Larry and Diane have two grown children, seven grandchildren, and live in Riverside, California.
Mark Gregston
Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder of a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. Mark’s passion for helping teens can be seen in his 50 years of involvement with families as a youth pastor, Young Life area director, and now, as the Executive Director of Heartlight, a residential counseling center where he has lived with and helped over 3,000 teens.
His years of experience have prepared Mark to share his insights and wisdom about parenting pre-teens and adolescents. He does so through radio, podcasts, seminars, books, parent retreats and conferences held throughout North America.
The Parenting Today’s Teens with Mark Gregston radio program can be heard on over 2,000 radio outlets. His best-selling books, all written to help parents and grandparents better understand and counter the effects of today’s culture on their teen, are a must for every parent’s library. And if some weekend Mark isn’t home on the ranch in Texas spending time with kids and families, he’s traveling the country leading seminars or speaking at various events.
Mark’s relational mindset coupled with his wit and humor in a presentation that entertains Moms, Dads, and Grandparents with practical advice of avoiding chaos, implementing change, handling difficult situations, and staying engaged during the adolescent years. Mark’s message resonates with all parents of all ages.
His current projects have been the launch of a daily devotional for parents and grandparents titled "Daily Hope for Families" and a children's book titled, "Where's Stitch", helping deal with loss and grief. Another recent book, "Grandparenting Teens" has helped thousands of grandparents remain engaged with their teen grandchildren to offer what cannot be offered by anyone else.
Mark has been married to his high school sweetheart, Jan, for 48 years, and has 2 kids and 4 grandkids. He lives in Longview, Texas with the staff at Heartlight, 60 high school kids, 25 horses, and a prized donkey named Toy.
To find out more about Mark and his ministry to parents and teens, you can visit www.HeartlightMinistries.org or www.ParentingTodaysTeens.org.