| Jerry and Sharon Graham |
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They’ve learned to recognize their differences in temperament and giftings and have come to value and accept one another for who the Lord has created them to be. As a bit of an introvert and a “book worm,” Jerry gets energized from digging into new concepts, researching fresh resources, and delving into his permanent stack of “new reads.” In contrast, Sharon being the extrovert of the “pair,” receives energy from chatting with folks on the phone and getting them excited about taking responsibility for their own health. Jerry grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas and began working in his father’s machine shop at a young age. His parents instilled in him the importance of being responsible and having a strong work ethic. After contracting polio at the age of 12, Jerry’s life was changed in a dramatic way. The physical limitations forced on him due to the polio caused him to delve into academics in an even more purposeful way. With sheer determination and God’s help, the majority of the physical limitations were overcome and Jerry became an avid scholar. From the time Jerry was old enough to say the word “engineer,” he declared that’s what he wanted to do with his life. After getting both an undergraduate and graduate degree in engineering, off to Rochester, New York he went to work for Eastman Kodak. Within three short years, he came to the realization that engineering was not where his happiness lay. Making the transition to marketing and project management brought fulfillment for many years. However, when the Lord began prompting him to go to seminary, his heart was ready and primed. Sharon grew up on a dairy farm in central Pennsylvania also learning the disciplines of responsibility and hard work at an early age. She loved being outdoors during the planting and harvesting of crops as well as being in the barn helping with the milking. She also enjoyed cooking and baking and trying new recipes even at a young age. She declared at an early age that she wanted to be a nurse and set her sails to the wind of nursing school. Even though she did well with the academics of nursing, it was the patient contact and care that brought joy and fulfillment to her. She worked for a number of years in the traditional medical field in varying positions and departments. In the late 1970’s, she became interested in exercise and eating more healthfully. After several years she began recognizing the dichotomy between traditional medicine and the more natural ways of healing. Once she became seriously ill in 1985, her quest for answers to her own health problems thrust her more into complimentary forms of medicine. The “pair” genuinely enjoys being together. Working from their home office allows them to have breakfast together, eat lunch together and then come together again for the evening meal. If you were to come to their home, you’d no doubt find both of them wearing telephone headsets. Jerry would probably be coaching from the office (or pacing from room to room while talking), and Sharon would be coaching from the kitchen table. They both enjoy entertaining and make it a priority to invite friends to their home for dinner where people are introduced to healthy food that has flavor and tastes good! The “pair” have a daughter and son-in-law who live in Golden, CO who have blessed them with two beautiful granddaughters. |
Jerry and Sharon Graham have been “a pair” for over 25 years having met on a Christian retreat in upstate New York. In October of this year, they will celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. During their time together, they have both held dreams of being able to work together in their quest to be of service to others. They have taught Bible classes together, led small groups together, consulted with churches together, counseled hurting Christians together, and now are coaching leaders together.