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Linda G. Howard (born December 21, 1943) is Area Director of The Special Gathering of Indian River, a ministry within the mentally challenged community. The Special Gathering was founded by Richard O. Stimson. She serves as program director/pastor for two programs: one in Melbourne, the other in Vero Beach, Florida. Mrs. Howard has worked for 19 years within the mentally challenged [] community, pastoring and advocating for Special Gathering members. She manages two weblogs, Special Gathering's Weblog and Special Gathering Stories. She is the co-publisher of Connecting Point, a monthly newsletter written for and by persons who are developmentally disabled.

Two of her first responsibilities with The Special Gathering were editing the ministry newsletters and directing the choir. Slowly, new responsibilities were added, including serving as Area Director and New Program Development. She pioneered two programs. The first in DeLand, Florida and the other in Vero Beach, Florida.

Author
In addition, Mrs. Howard has authored four books. Three were published by LOGOS, Int. They are Mothers Are People, Too; The Secret Life of a Housewife; and Sons for King Yah. Mothers Are People, Too has sold over 350,000 copies and was a best-seller within Christian publishing community. The fourth book, published by Fleming H. Revell, was Love Her, Like Him which was ghost written for Pat Williams. Williams is the General Manager for the Orlando Magic Basketball team.

Mrs. Howard worked with Strang Communications, Charisma magazine, as an on-call, freelance writer. Her primary responsibility was the “News and Views” Section of the magazine. She has had hundreds of articles published in many national magazines. One of her cover stories was awarded First Place in the “Best Feature” category of the Florida Magazine Association and fourth place in the “Best Personality Profile” category of the Evangelical Press Association, a national organization of Christian publications. Her article published in Christianity Today[], regarding the changes in disability ministries was picked up by the Associated Press and carried front page in newspapers all over the US.

Education
Mrs. Howard received her Bachelor of Arts from Warner Southern College in Lake Worth, Florida and her Masters of Arts in Ministry from Moody Graduate School [] in Chicago, IL.

Personal Information
She is married and has three adult children and four grandchildren.