Host:
Dr. James Dobson
Guest(s):
Mr. Stu Epperson, Mr. Jon Gibson, and Mr. Peter Vanacore
Host: Dr. James Dobson
January 11, 2012
The sad truth is that 40% of today's children are born into a home without a father. There is hope, however. Tune in today to learn how a simple mentoring relationship can change the life of an at-risk child or teen and prevent them from becoming another statistic.
Stu Epperson Co-Founded Salem Communications in 1972 and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board. He worked as a disc jockey in the late 50's and went on to built his first radio station in 1961. Stu led a ministry call One Kid at a Time, from the Christian Mentoring Institute. Along with Salem Communications, The Christian Association of Youth Mentoring was born, where Stu is on the Board of Directors.
Stu lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL with his wife Nancy Atsinger Epperson. They have three Daughters, Kristy, Karen and Kathy and one son, Stuart Jr.
Jon Gibson, President of the Jon Gibson Company, is a real estate developer who has developed residential and business properties covering over 1,000 acres in eight cities over the last 34 years. His favorite real estate development project was the relocation of Focus on the Family from Southern California to a new campus in Colorado Springs.
Serving on the founding board of "Family Talk with Dr. James Dobson," Jon possesses the heart of a philanthropist and a passion to preserve the traditional family. About the only activity this former U.S. Air Force pilot loves more than flying is helping "at risk" youth reach their full potential. Today, Jon also serves on the boards of MentorKids USA and the Christian Association of Youth Mentors.
Jon and Marylois, his bride of 38 years, are the proud parents of two incredible children. Jon and Marylois live near Sacramento with a horse and a dog that's the size of a horse.
Peter Vanacore began ministering to youth in 1978 through Youth for Christ on Long Island. In 1981 he joined the staff of Long Island Youth Mentoring and worked as an Area Director for mentoring ministry. He helped develop a mentoring ministry with incarcerated juveniles and later served as the Field Staff Supervisor. In 1996 Peter moved to Massachusetts to become the New England Director for Straight Ahead Ministries. In 2000 he became the National Field Director where he helped develop the School of Juvenile Justice Ministry.
Peter returned to Long Island in 2003 to direct the Christian Mentoring Institute. Along with his duties at CMI, Peter was a part-time faculty member at Gordon College from 2000-2008 where he taught courses in counseling and at-risk youth. He has a Masters in Social Work from Fordham University.
