What keeps me awake at night and gets me up in the morning? The hope that someday people in places like Eswatini will know of the Love of the Father, the Freedom of the Son, and the Filling of the Spirit. I see a generation of orphans emerging from the HIV/AIDS pandemic to become the pulpit of Africa and re-evangelize the West.
BA Pastoral Studies/Greek Moody Bible Institute
MA Global Leadership (MAGL) emphasis in International Community Development Fuller Seminary
Doctor Intercultural Studies (DIS) emphasis Adult Leadership Development Fuller Seminary
Bio:
“Is this heaven? No – it’s Iowa.” That famous line from “Field of Dreams” speaks of where I was born and raised (Iowa- not Heaven). I was raised in the church – benefited from a great Christian heritage – married Marcia – had first two kids – moved to Chicago to go to Moody Bible Institute (BA Pastoral/Greek) – had our third – worked at UPS for 11 years and Youth Pastor for about 4.
In 1995 I went on a mission trip with AIM with my little youth group. The encounters I had with God there changed my life forever. Ask me sometime and I’ll tell you the stories. By 1996 we had our support raised and moved from Chicago to Georgia – AIM home offices.
Over the next 12 years, I worked to serve/build short term mission discipleship ministries. I oversaw lots of people and programs and bases all around the world.
In 2005 Marcia and I went to Swaziland for 3 months. Again, changed our lives forever. Since then we’ve been focused on AIM ministry in Swaziland. Along the way, I completed MAGL (MA Global Leadership) from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Marcia and I spend 3-4 months a year in Swaziland. As of 2020 we’re serving 7000 children every day at neighborhood care points in Swaziland. I help facilitate a partnership with Children’s Hopechest. We’ve got 100+ on staff – some missionaries, mostly Swazi nationals. Micro-enterprise with 100 women, church partnerships, Swazi Leadership Academy, and education initiatives round out the growing ministry in Swaziland.
In 2020 Marcia and I celebrate 38 years of marriage. We’re blessed with 3 children and 6 grandchildren. The heritage continues. Isaiah 44:3,4 is a key life promise to our family,
3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.
4 They will spring up like grass in a meadow,
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.
4 They will spring up like grass in a meadow,
like poplar trees by flowing streams.
My interests include sports (Chicago, anything basketball and Fantasy Football where I am known as bigdaddy), hobby farming, reading, and being outdoors doing almost anything. If I am not working you’ll either find me with Marcia and/or spending time with our family… or on rare but welcomed occasions, fishing or hiking alone.
We need to change that part about fishing alone! And we need to go soon.
So inspirational and motivating to us, may God continue bless and enlarge you and your family