Greggory R. Ackerman

Hermitage, TN 37076

PH: (615) 713-0916

gregg.ackerman@hotmail.com

I grew up in the era of “Green Eggs and Ham” and “Bernstein Bears,” and, although my interest in

literature has evolved over time, the lessons of those children’s books, which were read to me as a

child, have stayed with me. While I remember the life lessons given in the stories, it was the

presentation that shaped my desire to create illustrations. This was the kindling that started my passion

for writing novels and children’s books, as well as for illustrating. That passion, along with the

encouragement from my family and my faith, has become the fire that drives me to become a published

author.

I have written and / or illustrated several works, and, where illustrations are concerned, I aim to make

them attention grabbing and relatable as well as educational. The following is a list of works that I’ve

been working on the past five years:

1. Gifted: The Mark is a commercial fiction novel that is first in a series of three.

2. The Apostle’s Creed: Kid’s Edition

3. Sammy Goes to Space is the first in a series of children’s books about a little boy with an

over-active imagination. I have begun working on the second Sammy book which will

correspond with the 2013 Children’s Reading Program that takes place in local libraries

throughout the United States.

4. The Stick Man Who Got Away is the first in a series of three children’s books about a

stick man who escapes to the real world. It is available on Amazon.com as an ebook.

5. Montley’s Crew is a children’s book about earth exploration.

In addition to writing, I also enjoy working in graphic design and illustration and working with

independent writers to create cover art.

Greggory R. Ackerman Hermitage, TN 37076

PH: (615) 713-0916 gregg.ackerman@hotmail.com

Gifted: The Mark

When a present day Government agency, known as The C.H.U.R.C.H., investigates what is believed to

be the demonic possession of a young boy, what they discover instead is that the boy has a spiritual

gift and currently holds an ancient document that contains the DNA of Jesus Christ. They must protect

this document, at all costs, from the Biblical figure Cain, who was marked with everlasting life, after the

murder of his brother Able.

Jonah, the primary investigator who is spiritually gifted with Protection, is partnered with two fellow

agents, Mike and Audrey. Mike is gifted with Seeing, the ability to see into the spiritual world, and

Audrey is gifted with Prophecy. The three agents are put in charge of finding and processing the

document, which will allow the organization to protect it; however, while in route, it is taken from them,

and a war of the two worlds ensues.

Introduction

To All Fellow Believers,

Our organization is The C.H.U.R.C.H.: The Confirmation of Heavenly Unfolding

and the Research of Christian History (The Church). We deal with spiritual phenomenon

and God’s plan. The organization is dated back approximately 1,950 years, to central

Europe, but we have also been linked with the Knights Templar, the Catholic Church,

Saint Peter, and the Illuminati. To my knowledge, no one knows our true history. Here in

the U.S.A. we have been placed under a top secret branch within the U.S. Government.

Due to the sensitive nature of our subject matter and investigations, the secrecy of our

organization is still of utmost importance.

There are three spiritual gifts used in The C.H.U.R.C.H.: 1) The Gift of Prophecy.

Those who can see and interpret an action, leading to a reaction, we label as Prophets,

because they have the divine gift of understanding God’s plan. Many Popes, Preachers,

and Priests, have this Gift. 2) The Gift of Seeing. Those who can see into the spiritual

world, and see the actions of both angelic and demonic figures, we label as Seers (See-

ers). The most known figure in history, to have had this gift, was Joan of Arc; not many

others are known, because many with this gift are labeled as insane. 3) The Gift of

Protection. Those with the third gift are the ones who utilize the gifts of both Prophet and

Seer and are given the gift wrath, much like the knights that fought in the holy wars. We

call them Protectors because they defend the innocent and fight the guilty.

The three gifts utilized by our agents, who have sworn themselves to the Lord

Jesus Christ to be tools for His will, are not the only gifts given to us by God, but they are

the main gifts we rely on here. With this in mind, we send three agents, one with each

gift, to carry out the investigations of The C.H.U.R.C.H., as we have found that these

three gifts work best together. In some cases, we have observed that when certain

people with these gifts are put together, they seem to have a stronger bond than other

agents; it’s an unbreakable bond or kinship that our group refers to as The Fourth

Blessing, and we believe it to be a God-given connection. (And though a man might

prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly

broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12)

Through our research and studies of Biblical figures, we have composed certain

ideals that accompany the light side and the dark side: Angelic figures move in and out

of the spiritual world by the command of God, are mainly used for communication, and

have often helped humans in times of turmoil. Angels cannot, and have no need or will

to, possess a person or any other living creature on earth; they can only appear. Angels

prefer to speak in Angelic Tongue, but they understand every human language, dead or

currently in use. They cannot, however, always understand Demons. Demonic figures

can only move through the world by means of a body, whether it’s animal or human,

through whoever or whatever is willing. Demons can only posses, they cannot transpire,

and once they have taken possession of a person, the Demon must be cast out, in

Christ name, into an animal, and then disposed of. We can only assume Demons must

go back the way they came, and by death of their host, they will be judged by God.

Demons prefer Hell’s Babble and can’t always understand Angels, but they know all the

languages of humans.

Humans can’t understand either of the spiritual languages, unless given a gift by

the Lord Almighty. Angels are curious of humans, understand the role we play in God’s

plan, and because we are of God, they will protect us. Demons look at us as tools for

their use, and nothing more. Angels and Demons cannot lie about the one they serve

when asked by a human, but contrary to Demons, who must back down when the name

of Jesus is spoken, Angels do not follow the commands of Humans, only those given by

God.

Although we have several spiritual phenomenon cases currently being

investigated, throughout the world, the following document is an account of Mike,

Audrey, and Jonah, three of our Special Agents, and their search for the Biblical figure

Cain, the unraveling of his mystery, and their interactions with him.

Cain’s history dates back to Genesis 4; he was the first born to Adam and Eve

and older brother to Able. Later in life, Cain became the first person of his kind: a

murderer. Cain, out of anger, killed his brother Able, despite God’s warning that he

needed to overrule the sin that was “crouching at his door.”

Biblically, we understand that Cain was cursed after murdering his brother, and

he was forced to live as a vagabond from that day forward. God then placed a mark on

Cain as a warning to others who come into contact with him. (Then the LORD said to

him, "Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." And the

LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. Genesis 4:15)

There is a legend that delves deeper into Cain’s curse and mark; this legend

involves two aspects: 1) Cain is forced to bare an eye that can see into the Spiritual

world, and 2) if killed, Cain assumes the body of his killer, and the killer’s soul will pass

on. When Cain assumes the body of his killer, he acquires any knowledge that person

had, any ability unique to that person, on top of anything he might have gained in his

previous body. This ability makes Cain a very difficult foe, as he grows both mentally and

physically stronger with every person he transfers to. The curse itself however, is what

weighs mostly on Cain’s mind, making him mentally unstable and unpredictable. On

earth, time seems to go faster and faster as we age, and by the age of 1000 it doesn't

seem to exist at all. It’s like watching everyone you know die in a blink of an eye…an

eye that sees into the spiritual world, causing you to witness a horrifying spiritual war

between Heaven and Hell.

Every person is created with a different role in God’s Will, as well as a different

gift, to carry out His plan. We all have different gifts, and no gift is stronger than another.

However, we are all born with one gift that is the same; that gift is the gift of Choice.

May God Bless You,

Benjamin Duke

Director of Internal Affairs, C.H.U.R.C.H. Division

And the LORD said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s

blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the

ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from

your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its

strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.

Greggory R. Ackerman

Hermitage, TN 37076

PH: (615) 713-0916

gregg.ackerman@hotmail.com

The Stickman Who Got Away

Story 1 in the Stick Man Series: What happens to Stick People when they enter the real world? Well in

“The Stick Man Who Got Away” we get to find out by following Jeffro! He’s a Stick Man who exits the

lined paper of his own world to enter ours. Through his exploration, you learn some general rules that

apply to Stick People, why cats are so dangerous, and that friends are much more important than

riches.

(This book is currently available on Amazon.com as an eBook: http://www.amazon.com/Stick-Man-Away-

Stories-ebook/dp/B0077SW6XW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350493687&sr=1-

1&keywords=The+Stick+Man++Who+Got+Away.)

Greggory R. Ackerman

Hermitage, TN 37076

PH: (615) 713-0916

gregg.ackerman@hotmail.com

Sammy Goes to Space

Sammy is a smart child with an overactive imagination, which often gets him into trouble. When he is

sent to his room for using all of his mother’s aluminum foil, he uses the timeout to take an imaginary

rocket ship into space.

“Sammy Goes to Space” is a first person narrative told by Sammy that educates the reader about outer

space by using his imaginary trip. This approach appeals to children because it is told from a child’s

perspective, blending reality with the imaginary. The story also demonstrates the difference between

being imaginative and being unfocused, which is a hot topic for parents today.

Greggory R. Ackerman Hermitage, TN 37076 PH: (615) 713-0916 gregg.ackerman@Hotmail.com

Sammy Goes to Space Words that appear in brackets are the writer’s suggestion of what the picture might be.

(Page 1) Title page (Page 2) Thank you page (Page 3) Hi. My name’s Sammy! (Page 4) These are things I love. The color red, drawing dinosaurs, and armadillos. [ILLO: The color red: pictured as an apple, drawing dinosaurs: pictured as a drawn dinosaur, and armadillos: pictured as his stuffed animal armadillo.] (Page 5) I have an overactive imagination. [ILLO: Sammy is dressed as a knight in a fighting stance with his small sword pointed toward a small dragon, in the background of an old castle.] (Page 6) Mom used all of my name cuz I used all of the foil. [ILLO: Sammy is standing in kitchen dressed in boxes and foil, mother yelling in the distance and all the objects that made up the castle are now kitchen furniture.] (Page 7) Mom just bought that foil and I used all of it. So, now I have to stay in my room. (Page 8) But luckily I have a rocket ship in my closet! (Page 9) First thing I need to do is check my gear. I have to wear a suit to protect myself from the weather. I take breathing tanks because there is no oxygen in space, and I make sure the ship has enough fuel to get me there and back. [ILLO: Sammy stands in his closet while looking at his space suite hanging on the wall.]

(Page 10) Next thing to do is sit down, put on my seat belts and wait for mission control to count down. (Page 11) It won’t be too long before I’m out of the Earth’s atmosphere. (Page 12) Now that I’m in outer space, I’ll float because there is no gravity. It feels like swimming without any water. (Page 13) Last thing to do is choose where to go, and remember, not all planets are the same. (Page 14) Some planets are too hot, or too cold, or are even made out of gas. (Page 15) Since people have already been to the moon, (Page 16) and Mars is the closest planet to Earth, I’ll go there! (Page 17) Wow, I think I’m the first one to ever come to Mars. There are no buildings or trees; it’s just red and dusty, and the air is really weird. (Page 18) Hey look at that! Someone or something has also been here. These foot prints lead to my rocket and… What’s that thing by my rocket? [ILLO: Sammy has walked quite a distance, and sees a strange Martian messing around with the ship.] (Page 19) It looks like an alien, and wait a minute. He’s trying to use my stuff. (Page 20) He isn’t speaking any language I have ever heard, and I can’t understand him. (Page 21) Go on! Get out of here! [ILLO: Sammy starts running back to his ship, with his armadillo in hand, scaring the alien away, then hops in the ship.] (Page 22) Thrusters full force. I’m getting out of here; all this red dust and aliens are too much for me.

(Page 23) Oh man, I hope that alien didn’t take anything important. (Page 24) What?? My fuel is low! Earth is just a little bit further. I just have… (Page 25) Come on little ship we’re almost there! (Page 26) Mission control, mission control! (Page 27) I’m gonna need to eject, that alien took all my fuel!!

(Page 28) No dialogue [ILLO: The closet has burst open as Sammy hangs tangled in sheets clothing and toys, while wearing a football helmet. His mother stands looking at him in shock.] (Page 29) Mother speaking: Dinner is ready Sammy, and… [ILLO: Sammy’s mom stands in the doorway as Sammy starts putting all his stuff back in the closet.] (Page 30) I’m sorry I used all of the foil mom; just like that alien used all my fuel. (Page 31) Mother speaking: Well it’s ok Sammy. Just don’t let your imagination run away from you next time. (Page 32) Mother speaking: At least you had a good time in space.

Greggory R. Ackerman

Hermitage, TN 37076

PH: (615) 713-0916

gregg.ackerman@hotmail.com

The Apostles Creed: Kids Edition

The historic creed that our ancestors in Christ have recited for hundreds of years can now be read to

children as they begin their walk with Christ and mature in into young adults. This book is formatted so

that each line is broken into individual pages with images relating with the line. As the book is read to

your child, it makes it easy for them to associate the picture to the line for easy memorization at a

young age.

Greggory R. Ackerman

Hermitage, TN 37076

PH: (615) 713-0916

gregg.ackerman@hotmail.com

The Apostles Creed: Kids Edition Words that appear in brackets are the writer’s suggestion of what the picture might be.

(Page 1) Title page (Page 2) Thank you page (Page 3) I believe in God, the Father Almighty, [ILLO: Picture of God standing with two children.] (Page 4) maker of heaven and earth, [ILLO: Picture of earth separated by space and heaven.] (Page 5) And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, [ILLO: Jesus handing a piece of bread to a child while others wait in the distance.] (Page 6) who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, [ILLO: Mary walking in the night with an image of a dove overhead.] (Page 7) and born of the virgin Mary, [ILLO: Mary in the manger holding baby Jesus.] (Page 8) suffered under Pontius Pilate, [ILLO: Pilate standing on a platform between Jesus and Barbarus in front of ] (Page 9) was crucified, [ILLO: A cross with a crimson and purple shawl on top of a hill.]

(Page 10) died and was buried. [ILLO: Picture of a tomb being closed shut.]

(Page 11)

He descended into hell.

(Page 12) On the third day (Page 13) He rose again from the dead. (Page 14) He ascended into heaven (Page 15) and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. (Page 16) From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. (Page 17) I believe in the Holy Spirit, (Page 18) the holy Christian church, (Page 19) the communion of saints, (Page 20) the forgiveness of sins,

(Page 21) the resurrection of the body, (Page 22) and the life everlasting. (Page 23) Amen.

(Page 24) [ILLO: A certificate with the believer’s prayer, with an area for the child to sign and date and an area for the parent or guardian to sign as a witness, should this book lead to the child’s salvation.]

Greggory R. Ackerman

Hermitage, TN 37076

PH: (615) 713-0916

gregg.ackerman@hotmail.com

Montley’s Crew

“Montley’s Crew” is about four unusual friends that enjoy a lot of activities together. Montley: an action

taking mole, Bradshaw: a gung-ho bumblebee, Samson: a fast talking but slow acting snail, and Jack:

an over active, often twitchy Jack rabbit, all enjoy playing cards, swimming, and playing tag, but most of

all they enjoy debating one another. In order to solve their most recent debate, the four undergo an

exploration into the depths of earth to discover what is really at its center.

Greggory R. Ackerman Hermitage, TN 37076

PH: (615) 713-0916 gregg.ackerman@hotmail.com

Montley’s Crew

Words that appear in brackets are the writer’s suggestion of what the picture might be.

(Page 1) Title page (Page 2) Thank you page (Page 3) Somewhere in a forest, whose name I cannot recall, lives an odd paring of friends.

(Page 4) Montley Mole

[ILLO: Picture of Montly with the text of the book on a wooden sign.] (Page 5) Samson Snail

(Page 6) Bradshaw Bumble Bee

(Page 7) And Jack. He only has the first name, but, as you can see, he is a jack rabbit.

(Page 8) Montley and his friends enjoy many things, but there is one thing they enjoy most…

(Page 9) Debating one another.

(Page 10) Now, don’t ask me how this debate started; all I can remember is Motley saying, “In the center of the

earth is a pair of PVX 9000 night vision goggles. If you can grab them then they are yours forever. And I

know that is fact because my brother’s friend’s cousin-once-removed has been there.

(Page 11) That’s when Bradshaw said, “That’s not true at all. It’s filled with honey! And that’s why flowers are so sweet… Duh.” (Page 12) “Nope,” Samson retorted, “It is a prize. But it’s a prize shell, and it’s unbreakable.”

(Page 13) “Hate to disappoint you all,” Jack broke in, “but it’s the largest carrot that ever existed. In fact, it’s so big

that the center of the earth is the only place it can grow, and it is also where all other carrots come

from.”

(Page 14) Now this debate went on for, in my opinion, way too long, and soon enough they all decided that the

next day they would dig to the center of the earth to settle the debate once and for all.

(Page 15) The next morning, the four friends showed up just in time to see the early bird, the one who got the

worm, getting yelled at by a night owl to be quiet.

(Page 16) Montley told everyone, “I’m a mole, so I’ll dig the hole.”

(Page 17) Samson then pulled out three old shells he had outgrown and said, “Here put these on your heads to

protect them.”

(Page 18) “And I have bees wax candles,” Bradshaw replied. “My wife makes them!”

(Page 19) Then Jack, who was the last one to arrive, opened his bag and said, “We can use my jack hammer!”

(Page 20) Montley put on the shell and started digging.

(Page 21) As Montley dug, Jack helped by carrying chunks of dirt back to the surface.

(Page 22) And when it would get too dark, Bradshaw carried Samson, who put the candles into the walls of the

tunnel.

(Page 23) The four continued until the ground was too hard for Montley to continue.

(Page 24) Jack started up his hammer saying, “My turn!” And then he started hammering.

(Page 25) And Hammering, and hammering…

(Page 26) Suddenly a huge opening appeared, and the four friends found themselves in front of a door.

(Page 27) Montley said, “I can’t wait to have my goggles.” Samson said, “Shell.” Bradshaw said, “Honey.” And

Jack said, “You are all wrong.”

(Page 28) The four opened the door at the same time, and saw…

(Page 29) No Dialogue [ILLO: The four of them stand there with shocked looks on their faces into an open room of lava.] (Page 30) Quickly they slammed the door, and Montley and Jack piled dirt back over it, while Samson and

Bradshaw blew out the candles.

(Page 31) When they finally reached the beginning of the tunnel, the friends agreed that, because they were all

wrong and so terrified, they would never tell anyone about this.

(Page 32) But because their debating kept me awake, I’ve decided to tell their story to anyone who will listen. Oh,

my name is Oliver… Oliver Owl.

Greggory R. Ackerman

Hermitage, TN 37076

PH: (615) 713-0916

gregg.ackerman@hotmail.com

Monday Post

Monday post is a series of single panel comics I have released to bring a little laughter to the dreaded

Monday that we all experience from time to time. Each panel focuses on one-liners that are relatable to

most.