Who We Are: Staff
Rod Handley
Rod Handley is the Founder and President of Character That Counts, a ministry that was established in July 2000. Rod is also the co-founder of TGIW ("Teaching Guys Infinite Wisdom") a ministry which began in Lee's Summit, MO in September 2001. Today, TGIW groups are meeting all over the world.
Rod served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) until his departure in May 2000. Rod began working for FCA in 1986, initially serving in Seattle as the Assistant State Director for Washington. He moved to Kansas City in 1989 to work at the FCA National Headquarters.
Rod has published over 30 books including, Character Counts-Who's Counting Yours? which details how to begin the process of being accountable to one another. The book is a practical tool for helping people who desire to be people of character and integrity. A detailed description of Rod's other books can be found on the Order/Contact page on the website. The book titles include:
Team Workouts on Character, Book(s) 1, 2 & 3
Life in View of Eternity
Character Counts for Quiet Time and Small Groups, Volumes 1, 2 & 3
Team Studies on Character, Volume(s) 1-7
GAMECHANGER
In The Zone
Relentless
All In
Undefeated
Rise
One
Strong
Let's Go
100% (New in 2020)
Called to Compete, Volume 1 & 2
One Way 2 Play--Athletes Edition
Character Counts Bible Study Guide (Included in 2012 version of "Character That Counts: Who's Counting Yours?")
Transparent Living: Living A Life of Integrity (OUT OF PRINT)
Rod is a popular retreat and banquet speaker with men's and women's groups, singles and married. Rod averages about 250 speaking engagements each year, and is gifted in sharing with all ages. In the past several years, he has been a speaker for Christian Management Association, Gospel Rescue Missions, The National Coalition of Men's Ministries, Pro Athletes Outreach, Stonecroft--Christian Women's Clubs, The Gathering, Great Commission Ministries, Athletes in Action, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Young Life, Navigators, Church and Sports Recreation Ministers, MOPS, Sertoma, Christian Businessmen's Committee and numerous public and private schools, churches and corporations.
Rod has also spoken at a number of colleges and universities across America including: FCA College Retreats for the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Kansas, Indiana and Iowa; Liberty University; Greenville College, College of the Ozarks, Southwest Missouri State; William Jewell College; Kansas State U; Northwest Missouri State; Missouri BSU State College Convention; Missouri BSU Single Adult Conference; Glorietta Student Week; CrossSeeker's Conference in New Orleans; Ivy Jungle Conference Speaker and Seminar leader.
He's shared at chapel programs for collegiate and professional teams over the past thirty years including: Nebraska Cornhuskers, Missouri Tigers, Washington Huskies, Liberty University, Florida State University, San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Anaheim Angels, Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Orlando Magic. In 2007 and 2008, he led the Bible Study for the Kansas City Royals. He served as the chaplain for the Seattle SuperSonics from 1986-89.
A graduate of Central Washington University, Rod was a 4-year letterman and starter on the football team, and earned Academic All-American honors during his senior year. He also earned his CPA license while working for Ernst and Whinney, prior to joining FCA. He is an ordained minister
Rod and his wife, Janna, have been married 32 years and they live in Lee's Summit, MO. They have four children, Brooke (30), Derek (28) and his wife Mikala and daughter Rowan, Jake (27) and his wife Micah and Trent (23).
