To schedule John or Punky to speak at your next event email Rachel@the4priorities.com or call 214.521.0928
Media Packet
John Tolson Bio PDF
Punky Tolson Bio PDF
Larry Kreider Bio PDF
Tolson Testimonial PDF
John Tolson Chronology PDF
Interesting Facts on John Tolson PDF
Backgrounder: The Gathering of Men PDF
The Tolson Group Fact Sheet PDF
Backgrounder: The Four Priorities PDF
Event Calendar PDF
Speaker Topics: John Tolson PDF
News Release: The Four Priorities Book PDF
John and Punky Tolson Pictures PDF
The 4 Priorities Tri-fold Brochure PDF
Logos PDF
Hosting a Seminar PDF
John Tolson Flyer PDF
 
DR. JOHN TOLSON
Biography
* * *


Dr. John Tolson is a nationally renowned teacher, speaker and author who has spent more than 30 years making a profound impact on the lives of others. As Founder and Chairman of The Tolson Group, he oversees a collection of ministries across the country that specialize in outreach and discipleship training for adults and students.

Of his many leadership roles, Tolson is also the Founder and Chairman of the Board for The Gathering USA, Inc., a national outreach movement formed in 1978 that teaches men leadership principles and motivates them to be active in their families, churches and communities. Through Tolson's Gathering ministry, about a half million men in 16 U.S. cities (and soon to begin in South Africa) have been mentored and served. The Gathering has developed a following among many prominent business, professional and government leaders nationwide.

Tolson's background also includes being a spiritual "coach" for some of the nation's leading executives, celebrities and sports teams. He is credited with establishing the NBA's first chaplain program in 1978 and over the years has been the chaplain for teams such as the Houston Rockets, Astros, Oilers and the Orlando Magic. His inspirational touch off the field has been affirmed by many notable sports figures. Through the years, he has developed connections with Tiger Woods, Monica Seles, David Robinson, Justin Leonard, Julius Erving and the legendary Coach John Wooden to mention only a few.

Tolson's motivational message for balancing life, family and faith has inspired many groups and individuals. Because of his expertise, he is frequently tapped as an educational and motivational speaker by media and business organizations. His work includes presentations to major churches, corporations, universities, the military and other groups. Those that have called upon his real-world, winning life principles have included Walt Disney World, Promise Keepers, Hyatt Hotels and the leading sports marketing group IMG. Tolson also has been featured in publications including People Magazine, Sports Illustrated and The Orlando Sentinel.

Aside from his road travels, Tolson is the creator of a number of church-based workshops and seminar programs. In the last three decades, he has authored countless messages with topics ranging from marriage and fatherhood to work management and leadership training. His latest workbook, The Four Priorities: Life is Too Short to Get It Wrong, is an adaptation from a successful 40-week discipleship program that he co-wrote for The Gathering.

Tolson is a native of Bradenton, FL. He graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA and received a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. He also attended and played basketball and baseball for Northern Arizona State College.

Tolson also teaches at the 4200 member, Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas, TX where he runs several leadership programs. He is married to "Punky" Leonard Tolson, who is also active in his ministry. He is the father of two grown children from his late wife Ruth Anne and he has two granddaughters. Before moving to Dallas in 2002, Tolson spent 20 years in Central Florida.

When he's not coaching a person in need or speaking at an event, Tolson stays focused on spreading the well-rounded principles of his Four Priorities discipleship book. Through this newest work, his goal is not only to teach discipleship but to show others how to reproduce these principles in others.

"Achieving balance in all things is the truest measure of success. It's not letting what you don't do well interfere with what you do best." -Dr. John Tolson


TESTIMONIALS PAGE
Clients of Dr. John Tolson
***
"John is a great communicator and has the ability to make people desire to put their priorities in the right order, which generally equates to a more vibrant and engaged person."
                                                                        John Muse
                                                                        HM Capital Partners LLC
                                                                        Dallas, Texas

"My greatest lessons in principled leadership have come from John Tolson. I believe John is extraordinarily effective. He wisely leads others to consider that which is most important and then provides simple lessons for achieving those goals."
                                                                        Dianna Morgan
                                                                        Former Senior VP of Public Affairs
                                                                        Walt Disney World

"John is honest, real, transparent. He has the ability to take a subject and provide insight to the listener without offending. His foremost skill is communicating. When you are in John's audience, you feel like he is talking directly to you. Like a symphony, he bridges the distance and personal gap in an unbelievable way."
                                                                        Paul Kuck
                                                                        Chairman and Founder
                                                                        Regal Luxury Boats

"He's down to earth, he's humorous, he tells it like it is."
                                                                        Carol Vance
                                                                        Former District Attorney
                                                                        Houston, Texas

"John has had a profound influence not only at IMG, but on individuals who work for us. He is an inspirational person, an inspirational speaker, and most importantly, he is an inspirational friend."
                                                                        Mark H. McCormack
                                                                        CEO-IMG The World's Foremost Sports Marketing Co. "John has a unique awareness of life's problems and obstacles and can effectively communicate the proper solutions in sincere manner. He speaks at the grassroots level of humanity."
                                                                        Bobby Jones
                                                                        Former NBA Star
                                                                        Philadelphia 76ers

"John Tolson is an outstanding communicator. His messages change lives."
                                                                        Pat Williams
                                                                        Former General Manager and President
                                                                        Orlando Magic

 

PUNKY TOLSON
Biography
* * *


Punky Tolson's deep love for Jesus began when she came to truly know and believe God through the study of His Word. Punky previously worked in film and T.V. with the likes of Julia Roberts and Roy Schider. Punky also worked in the modeling industry in Manhattan and in production at MTV. A single woman until the age of 43, Punky had pursued many a path, including her career in the entertainment industry and trying to find true love and lasting satisfaction in her life. But it was through personal trials, wrong choices and heartbreaks that she was really gripped by the love of Jesus Christ and grew into a personal, intimate and loving relationship with Him that transformed her life and deeply satisfied her heart.

By God's mercy and grace, Punky taught women's Bible studies in her hometown of Orlando, Florida for five years and currently teaches two weekly women's Bible studies in Dallas. She has also had the opportunity to speak to women's groups throughout the southeast and Texas sharing her testimony and her love for Jesus. Punky loves the Lord and loves being with people. Her heart's desire (Psalm 37:4) is to help people come into a personal, intimate relationship with the Lord, to love God's Word and to daily live out the truth of His Word in their lives.

John and Punky have recently moved from Central Florida to Dallas, Texas where they work together teaching Becoming a Person of High Impact: A Discipleship Seminar and the BASICS class at the 4200 member Highland Park Presbyterian Church.

 
SPEAKER Topics
Work of Dr. John Tolson
* * *

For 30 years, Dr. John Tolson has been ministering, counseling and inspiring audiences everywhere. His motivational messages range from topics on spiritual development and parenthood to work management and leadership training. John's background as an athlete, seminary student, youth minister, communicator to the corporate world and founder of The Gathering of Men provides a wealth of experience that gives him insight into the hearts of young and old alike.

Tolson has been a keynote speaker at seminars and conferences for major organizations, such as Walt Disney World, Hyatt Hotels, Promise Keepers and for the leading sports marketing firm IMG. His background also includes numerous workshops and speeches for church activities, discipleship equipping events, marriage retreats, parenthood training, men's outings, motivational seminars, sporting events and many other venues. With his past experience, John has gained a reputation for getting to "the heart of the issue" and providing relevant answers to life's most critical issues.

Tolson's work can be summarized into three categories:
  • Spiritual Growth - simple and achievable advice and guidelines for enhancing one's walk with God
  • Marketplace Skills - sharpening the abilities and attitudes that make great leaders in the workplace
  • Personal Life Management - achieving balance and strengthening the bond with spouse, family and community while understanding how to cope with life's curve balls


A sampling of Tolson's speeches, workshops and studies include:
  • Bottom-Line Living: After asking audiences the question, "If you could live your life all over again, how would you do it?," Tolson teaches how to reflect on life, pursue dreams and invoke balance and changes that make an impact.
  • Become a Person of Significance: A presentation on six ways to build the self-esteem that yields successful individuals, families and careers.
  • The Four Priorities: Tolson's four-step introspective process for applying Bible-based discipleship principles that revolutionize life.
  • Moms & Dads that Make a Difference: A four-hour interactive and entertainment seminar covering the key parenting and coaching skills that shape motivated and responsible children.
  • Beating Burnout: Strategies for avoiding burnout at home, on the job or in church.
  • Motivating Leadership: Nine Tolson steps for motivating people to a higher calling and attaining excellent standards of performance.
  • How to Make a Marriage Sizzle: Unlocking the mystery of relationships and exploring techniques for making marriages great.
  • Problem-Solving: Five strategies to tackle everyday, distressful occurrences.
  • Master Communicator: Tolson's practical tools for maximizing the quality of life and achieving success through the art of communicating.









© 2005 The4Priorities.com. All rights reserved.