Rich Gerberding has been a ministry leader for over 25 years in Central Illinois, overseeing a regional men’s ministry (Men of AIM – Action, Integrity, Maturity).

In 2010, he and his then ten-year-old son started a local grassroots effort to promote Christian films in Peoria after realizing Christian films were struggling not due to a lack of interest, but a lack of awareness. They launched Christian Movie Central, which now promotes Christian films nationally and in over 100 local markets in all 50 states.

Rich has a weekly 60-second Christian Movie Update radio spot with their local Moody affiliate WBNH 88.5FM which will soon be available to any radio station in the country. The 700th episode aired in February 2026.

Over the years, Rich has been heavily involved with national ministries such as Promise Keepers (Volunteer Staff Representative, 3-time Peoria local leadership team, including overall Local Lead in 2008), Man in the Mirror (Field Trainer for several years, and recommended by MIM to local church for retreat speaker), as well serving on multiple Walk to Emmaus weekends.

He has led or partnered in events bringing speakers to central Illinois including Christian comedian Brad Stine, speaker David Dusek (Rough Cut Men), Man in the Mirror’s Sustainable Ministry to Men training, and has been a featured speaker at several one-day conferences regarding porn and sexual addiction. Rich has presented numerous workshops at conferences and churches (men, women and mixed audience), as well as Sunday sermons.

Vegetables of the Spirit remains his favorite speaking topic, whether a workshop, sermon, or weekend retreat. He also has enjoyed seeing pastors put their own spin on the subject in their own sermon series.

In 2019, Rich and his ministry hosted the first public screening of The Chosen, at the personal request of series creator and director Dallas Jenkins, whom he has known since 2010. Dallas has made multiple in-person visits to Peoria for Rich’s ministry as well as podcasts and radio interviews Rich coordinated.

In November 2025, Rich completed the Freedom Movement certification for Bible-based, trauma-informed coaching.

He has been married to his best friend, April, since 1996, and they are now empty nesters since their son escaped Illinois in 2018 for Boise State (Yes, the blue football field), then brought a daughter-in-law into the family in 2022.

He and his wife look forward to his upcoming retirement and their own move out of Illinois… and he hates eating his vegetables.