Joel Rissinger, Communicate to Connect

Audiences can expect to laugh, cry, and be entertained while learning communication and leadership techniques which will improve their lives by increasing sales, improving customer retention rates, and enhancing all of their relationships. I don't need or use AV equipment. I just need a microphone and a place to stand. I tell stories, jokes, and use a lot of audience participation in getting my point across. In brief, I'm helping people, "Speak to the Heart," so they won't have to "Talk to the Hand!"

Speaker, Trainer, Author, Pastor, Corporate Chaplain and Coach; Joel Rissinger has been a professional communicator for almost 30 years. His career has included consulting and marketing stints with companies like Eastman Kodak, Johnson & Johnson, Gordon Food Service, Coorstek, and Blooms Business Systems. He has led several non-profit organizations through major transitions and oversaw a three-way merger in 2006, (the subject of his book, “The Crucified Church.,” published in 2007).

Joel has done workshops, keynotes, and radio advertising & programming for organizations like WTIC radio, WIHS, WSDK, the Newington Chamber of Commerce, Iron Sharpens Iron, Life Innovations, and numerous others.

Married for 30 years, he and his wife Karen have two adult children and one immeasurably cute Granddaughter. Joel is a graduate of Ambassador University, has two Master’s Degrees from Liberty University, completed the famous Bill Gove Speech Workshop, and is a certified speaker and coach with the John Maxwell Group as well as the International Association of Corporate Speakers (IACC).

Joel's speaking assignments include:

Public Speaking & Media Experience:
( ) Presenter with Perspectives, a multi-denominational missions course taught in churches. Taught, “Spontaneous Multiplication of Churches” in Glens Falls, NY in November, 2014.

( ) Presenter, Work Life Growth Series by Marketplace Chaplains. Present numerous workshops to corporate clients. Topics include Stress Management, Balancing Work and Family Life, Conflict Resolution, and more.

( ) Presenter, Newington, CT Chamber of Commerce. Fall 2006 to present. I present and act as unofficial chaplain for Chamber as well as town Transportation Department and other entities. Have done workshops on conflict resolution and other topics for local business leaders.

( ) Presenter Marriage Time-Out from Fall, 2013 to present. Teach a two-day workshop for married couples. Have presented to and counseled couples with my wife Karen, a School Psychologist and Ministry Leader. Topics include communication, conflict-resolution, finances, etc. Currently present these in concert with Knights of the 21st Century.

( ) Pastor/Presenter at Mill Pond Church from August, 2006 to present. Teach, write, and preach messages weekly to congregation of about 100. Have similar experience with multiple congregations over 25 years. Have served in ministry fulltime or as a primary vocation since 1992.

( ) Associate Faculty, Antioch School, Spring 2006 to present. Teach multiple leadership and Theology courses and consult with other churches on the implementation of accredited church-based leadership development programs.

( ) Guest Speaker-Presenter, Liberty University, (phone number hidden)2. Gave numerous presentations and workshops to students interested in church planting. Have also recruited and trained several interns as a result of these visits.

( ) Presenter with Life Innovations, Inc. from (phone number hidden)2. Taught well over 100 counselors and clergy members to use the popular “Prepare-Enrich” couples counseling program. Gave dozens of seminars from NJ to ME.

( ) Presenter at Iron Sharpens Iron from (phone number hidden)2. Gave multiple workshops throughout New England on marriage, church-based leadership development, and more.

( ) Presenter/Director, Converge Northeast Church Planting from Spring of 2000 to Fall of 2008. Taught workshops and did consulting on church planting with 80 churches throughout the Northeast. Taught workshops outside the denomination as well, speaking in multiple states.

( ) Presenter, Pondering radio program, WSDK, 1550 AM in Hartford, CT from (phone number hidden)2. Additional radio experience doing commercials and co-hosting at WTIC, 1080 AM in Hartford, “Bread of Life” programs with WIHS, 104.9 FM in Middletown, and various programs at stations in multiple states. Also have some local public access TV experience.