Motivational Speaker Brings Spiritual Approach To Ministry
A twisted tongue translated into trouble during a twilight talk at an area church, but Greg Wasinski pressed on.
Themes of responsibility and forgiveness rolled off his tongue — different topics originally slated for his speech.
“My mind was empty before the talk,” said Wasinski, a Bainbridge Township resident and nationally known Catholic inspirational speaker.
“I didn’t know what to say, but I got through it,”?he said.
The following Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, changed Wasinski’s life.
Thomas “T.J.” Lane opened fire at Chardon High School that morning, killing three students and wounding three others — a situation Wasinski described as a “nightmare.”
But, at the same time, he said he had a revelation.
“My talk at that church was what God wanted those residents to hear, to prepare them for what unfolded at Chardon (High School). They needed to hear that speech at that time. I believe the Holy Spirit worked through me for that reason.”
A few days later, he was scheduled to give a talk at St. Mary Church in Chardon, directly across the street from the high school.
The talk had been scheduled months in advance, he said.
From Garfield Heights to God-Focused Path
His path to success as president of “Let Me Be” Ministries and beyond began in Garfield Heights as a parishioner at Ss. Peter and Paul Church on Turney Road.
He later attended Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea and gained experience in speech communication and theater.
At Baldwin-Wallace, he met his actress wife, Aimee. Starting in the mid-1990s, he and his brother ran an Internet development company and advertising agency until 2007.
At that point, Greg changed career paths.
In the meantime, he married Aimee and moved to Bainbridge Township in 2001.
Although he succeeded at his craft, he discovered his passion for public speaking in 2005 after creating and hosting a radio show, “Who Will I Be Tomorrow?” which aired on WERE AM-1300 in Cleveland. The show ended a few years later after the station changed formats.
Meanwhile, Wasinski’s family transitioned from Ss. Peter and Paul to Holy Angels by 2006.
He then volunteered with the church’s mens group and other activities. One activity was public speaking for high school teens, a natural fit.
In 2008, a real estate deal did not occur as planned and he questioned where he needed to go next. He said he was upset with God and asked why He allowed him to fail.
“God said to me, ‘Had I never shown you what I always wanted, you never would have done what I wanted you to do,'” Wasinski said.
Confused, he next asked God to use him as His instrument. He then built relationships with pastors, youth ministers and those connected with the Catholic Church.
By then, he realized he was called to public speaking.
Since then, he has talked at the National Conference for Catholic Youth Ministers, the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership and other rallies.
He will present a talk at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis and the Los Angeles Youth Congress next spring.
Preparing For Speeches With Prayerful Formula
Wasinski said he gets ready for his speeches over a two-day period.
He utilizes themes for his speeches, depending on what the parish wants.
The speech can either be based on a theme requested by the parish or it can be a theme he has done in the past.
His basic formula consists of an icebreaker, a scripture reading, a catechetical reading, personal stories and a reading from his faith-based book, “Where Faith & Real Life Come Together.”
One of his key events is being the emcee at The FEST, a religious festival held each August at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe.
When asked if the large amount of people make him nervous, he replied, “Not at all.”
“It is easier to talk to 33,000 than it is to talk to a room of 33. All you see is a sea of people, but it is tougher in an intimate setting,” Wasinski added. “I will say it is electric to be part of that event.”
His tagline, “Let Me Be” came after praying and listening to God on silent retreat.
“God told me, ‘Be nothing more than what I created you to be.’ So that is what I did,” Wasinski said.
A few years ago, he gave a talk about the “Let Me Be” philosophy.
A few months after the talk, a woman came up to Aimee and told her she was inspired by Greg’s presentation. She then showed Aimee a bumble bee charm on her bracelet, inspiring the ministry’s logo.
He said his words make a strong impact. But he said sometimes his words are not his own, but rather, God’s, led by the Holy Spirit.
For more information about “Let Me Be” Ministries, contact Wasinski at gw@wasinski.com or visit the ministry website at www.wasinski.com.
