About Us
Our Vision
To transform our culture through transformed leaders.
Our Purpose
To equip leaders to become people of integrity, character, faith, and service who transform their community through word, deed, and prayer.
Our Programs
Address the moral, ethical, spiritual, and leadership development needs of business, professional, and government leaders and serve "the least of these" in Columbus and the Dominican Republic.
Our Values
- Community Involvement
- Relevant Programs
- Spiritual Growth
- Leadership Development
- Inter-Cultural Collaboration
- Service to Others
- Community Transformation
Our Distinctives
- Engage people from many walks of life
- Provide transformational resources for personal and spiritual growth
- Equip companies in the areas of leadership and character development
- Utilize a mix of local, national, and international speakers
- Cross racial, ethnic, social, political, denominational, and economic lines
- Partner with others to serve people in need
Our Model - Jesus
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The Gathering is a faith-based catalyst that inspires people to a lifetime of leadership and service.
Harvey Hook
Executive Director and Founder
Columbus Gathering
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Our Team
Harvey Hook
Executive Director
Harvey has shared the platform with Dr. Billy Graham, Kim Phuc ("The Girl in the Picture"), Coach Tony Dungy, Chuck Colson, Immaculee Ilibagiza (Rwandan genocide survivor) , Zig Ziglar, Josh McDowell, Coach Jim Tressel, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, Dr. Tony Evans, Dr. Benjamin Carson, Tony Campolo, Andrew H. Card, Jr. (Former White House Chief of Staff), and Jim Towey (Former Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives).
His first book, The Power of an Ordinary Life was published by Tyndale Publishers in August 2007. Additionally, he was a contributing author to, Parents and Teenagers, Parents and Children, and Moving Beyond Belief.
Harvey has experience in media. In 2000, he hosted GTN-TV's live prime-time, nationally televised, satellite broadcast "Columbine Remembered" with Dr. Josh McDowell and Darrell Scott, father of slain Columbine High School student, Rachel Joy Scott.
Harvey and his wife, Rita, were married in 1982 and they have two daughters, Rebecca and Rachel.
Book Harvey to Speak!
As a speaker, Harvey's topics range from personal life management, spiritual growth, community engagement, leadership development, and servant leadership. His topics include:
- The Power of an Ordinary Life - Changing the world one life at a time
- The Compelling Power of Vision - High impact leadership begins with vision
- Leaving a Legacy - How to write your name on the universe
- Discovering Your Life's Purpose - How to answer life's greatest question
- Servant Leadership - What I've learned from Jesus
- Mission Possible - How to fulfill your life's purpose
- No More New Year's Resolutions! - Using goals to achieve your life's mission
- Experiencing Heaven on Earth - What I've learned from the poor
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Harvey's past and present recognitions include:
- Chairman, Business Integrity Awards Selection Committee BBB of Central Ohio
- Roundtable Participant, Ohio Center for Civic Character
Office of Ohio Secretary of State
- Secretary, Greater Columbus Billy Graham Crusade
- Chair, Programs Committee, Rotary Club of Columbus
- Member, Mayor's Religious Advisory Committee
Mayor Michael B. Coleman
- Member, Mayor's Task Force on Racial Reconciliation
Mayor Gregory Lashutka
- Moderator, Governor's Prisoner Reentry Summit
Governor George V. Voinovich
Charles Colson, Prison Fellowship
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Vicki Ettenhofer
Administrative Director
Vicki Ettenhofer attended Otterbein College and graduated with a BA in Secondary Education (Home Econcomics concentration). A year after graduation, she joined the Army for a 4-yr stint as an enlisted Chaplain's Assistant that culminated in a twenty-two year career in 4 overseas and 7 stateside assignments where she managed chapel facilities/activities, religious services, office functions, chaplain funds, and supervision of enlisted personnel and chapel volunteers. After retirement, Vicki worked in an administrative capacity at two central Ohio churches and then as a TSA screener at the Columbus International airport after the 9-11 bombings. The Gathering hired Vicki as Administrative Director in August 2004.
Board of Advisors
- Rocky Felice, Executive VP, Global HR, Limited Brands, Chair
- Geoffrey Biehn, President, Trinity Financial Advisors
- Marvin Clayton, VP, Diversity & Inclusion, Limited Brands
- Fred Crum, President, Personnel Profiles, Inc.
- Kevin Grady, Chairman, Grady Enterprises
- Harvey Hook, Executive Director, The Gathering/Columbus
- Linda Kaufmann, Director of Marketing, Progressive Medical
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- Michael Kaufmann, CEO, Pharmaceutical Supply Chain, Cardinal Health
- Steve Norden, Senior Pastor, New Hope Reformed Church
- Dwight Smith, CEO, Sophisticated Systems, Inc.
- Brenda Stier-Anstine, President, Marketing Works, Inc.
- Michael D. Stoner, Managing Partner, A&S Investment Group
- Craig Taylor, President, Vectra
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Council of Reference
- Larry Anstine, President, OSU Medical Center
- Rob Comfort, President, Huntington Investments
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- Curt Moody, President, Moody Nolan
- La Fayette Scales, Pastor, Rhema Christian Center
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Our History
The Gathering/Columbus began in June 1988 as a local chapter of The Gathering/USA, Inc. which is a 501c(3) organization with its national office in Orlando, Florida. Columbus is one of fifteen chapters in metropolitan areas in the United States, Dominican Republic, and South Africa.
What began as one small weekly gathering at the Athletic Club of Columbus has grown into a partnership of individuals, businesses, and organizations that has served over a quarter million people since its inception.
The Gathering movement started in 1978, when Dr. John Tolson began to address the lack of spiritual direction that men were providing for their families. The Gathering/USA was officially formed in 1987 when Larry Kreider moved to Orlando, Florida to become President.
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