Wayne Van Der Wal is the Amazon bestselling author of The Gospel of Santa Claus, a heartfelt book inspired by his passion for helping families rediscover and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
Raised inside the Beltway of Washington, D.C., in Falls Church, Virginia with formative years also spent in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming, Wayne eventually made his way to the Reno/Lake Tahoe region of Nevada at the age of 20 and has proudly called it home ever since.
With more than thirty years of ministry leadership and speaking experience, Wayne has served in a wide variety of ministries, including Bible Studies, Divorce Care, Children’s, College, Jail, Inner-City, Men’s, and Youth Ministries. His passion for sharing God’s truth and encouraging others has made him a trusted voice in both ministry and personal growth.
Professionally, Wayne brings over three decades of experience in education and counseling. He has served as a School Psychologist (Ed.S.), School Counselor (M.A.), and President of his State Association, building on a strong academic foundation that includes a Bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology.
Wayne’s greatest joys are found in his relationship with God, preaching and hearing sermons, worship, and meaningful conversations about faith. Outside of ministry and writing, he enjoys beaches, vineyards and wineries, travel, running, and movies.
Perhaps most importantly, Wayne’s role as a father helped inspire The Gospel of Santa Claus. His two children sparked a desire in him to illuminate the deeper message of Christmas and create a meaningful way for families to celebrate Christ during the holiday season.
To learn more about Wayne and explore his other books, visit WayneVanDerWal.com.
