Roger Coleman

Roger Coleman is a pastor and community activist who has worked in the midtown area of Kansas City, Missouri for 35 years. He and his wife, Elizabeth, are the directors of Pilgrim Center, Inc., a community organization that provides activities for children and youth. Pilgrim Center is also responsible for restoring and maintaining the historic Pilgrim Chapel, a public chapel open to people of all faiths.

A Few Experiences

In 1986, Dr. Coleman, while chairman of the Mayor's Task Force on Hunger, was in Ethiopia as part of an international response to the famine in that country. On his return home, he spent a miraculous evening in Rome. These two experiences have helped shape the The Pope and the Snowman story.

Some Formal Education

Dr. Coleman attended college at Bethany College and seminary at Texas Christian University. He has a M.Ed. degree in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri and a D.Min. degree in theology and community development from St. Paul School of Theology. He has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by the Missouri School of Religion in recognition of his community service.

Other Creations

In 1980, Roger Coleman founded Clergy Services, Inc., an association of ministers available to perform weddings, funerals, baptisms/blessings and other celebrations of faith in non-congregational settings.

Dr. Coleman is also the creator of the Family Medallion®, a symbol and resource for celebrating family commitments including adoption ceremonies, the blessing/baptism of children and the inclusion of children in the wedding service. With the help of family and friends, he has written and produced numerous songs and dramatic presentations including Danny Cox's Troost Avenue Blues, Silent the Night, Zacchaeus and the Rattlesnake Church and Triology, three readings from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran.

Richard Becker

Richard Becker is a freelance illustrator and creative director. During his 30-year career, he has owned and operated his own design studio, worked for a variety of advertising and public relations firms and, most recently, managed creative functions within a division of Hallmark Cards.