Author Bio
Heidi Unruh has researched and written extensively about church-based community ministry, including co-authoring the books Churches That Make a Difference; Hope for Children in Poverty; Saving Souls, Serving Society; and Equipping Christians for Kingdom Purpose in Their Work. As a ministry consultant, trainer and coach, she specializes in helping the people of God care well for neighbors and work toward the flourishing of their community, particularly by coming alongside vulnerable children and families. She is an alumni of Palmer Seminary. Heidi and her husband Jim are raising their family in Hutchinson, KS.
Joy Skjegstad works with nonprofits and churches throughout the U.S. to help them achieve strategic focus, develop effective community ministry, and present themselves in clear and visionary language. In addition to Real Connections, she is the author of Seven Creative Models for Community Ministry (Judson Press, 2013), Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry (Alban Institute 2007), and Starting A Nonprofit At Your Church (Alban Institute 2002). She has more than 30 years of experience starting and growing nonprofit organizations and church-based community ministry programs, including serving as the Executive Director of the Park Avenue Foundation at Park Avenue United Methodist Church and as the founder of the Institute for Ministry Leaders, a university-based training program that builds the management capacity of churches and other ministry organizations. She is wife to Brad, mom to Ethan and Julia, and lives in South Minneapolis, a diverse and resilient place full of strong women.