Meet Our Ambassador

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Meet Ted Hains, our iRetire4Him Ambassador.

Ted spent his career as a portrait photographer and recalled feeling much like Moses with a staff in hand, and asked God to use the camera that he was carrying to fulfill God’s plan for his life.  He was passionate about using all his gifts and talents actively during retirement, for the Lord, until called home.  

Ted (father of iWork4Him’s co-founder, Martha Brangenberg) served faithfully as a board member of iWork4Him Ministries, Inc., and continuously helped his peers learn to live the “iRetire4Him” lifestyle.  Ted used his newest hobby, woodturning, as an open door to conversations that would lead to talking about his faith.  He also was a member of the Pocket Testament League, where he spoke on their behalf and passed out the Gospel of John daily.

 
 
 
 

Ted and his wife of 66 years, Elaine, split their time between Cass Lake, Minnesota and Fort Myers, Florida. They have three daughters, one son, eight grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren, scattered across the United States. He always said that God orchestrated his entire “retirement” because “we were faithful.”

 

A published author

 

Many chapters of iWork4Him and iRetire4Him end with a real story from the life of Ted Hains. Always able to share an application, Ted generously poured out his memories for the benefit of the readers of these two books.

To read all of Ted’s stories in one place…

 
 

check out Uncle Ted’s Bathroom Reader.

 

For generations, stories have been the link from the past to the present. They teach us lessons, make us laugh, and draw us closer to those we love and those we may never meet.

Uncle Ted's Bathroom Reader is a collection of stories from the life of veteran, photographer, businessman, Christ-follower, family man, friend, and artist - Ted Hains. Some stories are fun, some serious, but all have the same bottom line: faith in Jesus is the foundation of a meaningful life.

Each page of Uncle Ted's Bathroom Reader preserves a piece of Ted and his wife, Elaine's, legacy - something we can all learn from and embrace.

 
 

iWork4Him Board Member

Ted was also a dedicated member of the iWork4Him Board of Directors. Read his board member bio and self-penned “why I care” section below.

 
 
Ted Hains

Read bio

A retired professional photographer of almost 50 years, Ted was mentored and discipled by the faith-and-work ministry CBMC. Ted is the passionate voice behind the iRetire4Him Nation and desires to motivate other Christ-following retirees to get out of the grandstands and back on the playing field as coaches to the upcoming generations.

Married to Elaine for over 66 years, Ted has four children, eight grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. They spend summers in Minnesota and “winters” in Florida. Ted is an ambassador and speaker representative for the Pocket Testament League.

Why I Care

"The idea of iRetire4Him fits with my stage in life. In my prime, I ran a Portrait Studio, was a Missionary in Venezuela, helped build churches in several countries, and did many projects that required youthful strength. I am now 89 and know that God is NOT finished with me yet. That is where iRetire4Him comes in. God has given me the gift of time, and I use it to share the gospel with others.

The tool I use is the Gospel of John supplied by The Pocket Testament League. There have been tears of joy and hugs from a Latino person. A Haitian man was speechless when I gave him a Creole version.

The Bible speaks only of Retired Levitical Priest; well, I’m not one of them, so I will Retire 4 Him."