My Story  

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BACKGROUND AND TESTIMONY
I grew up in a small town in Michigan called Houghton Lake. As I was growing up, I went to church with my family every Sunday, and I can remember raising my hand to accept Jesus at a vacation Bible school class when I was just 7 years old. However, my faith went on the back burner until high school, when some personal crises forced me to realize two things: 1) that I desperately needed God, and 2) that I really had no idea who He was. After a time of searching, and through the ministry of many loving Christians, I rededicated my life to the Lord when I was about 16 years old.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING 
After high school, I attended Michigan State University, where I earned a B.S. in psychology. While at MSU, I was involved in the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, which God used to develop in me a heart for missions.
After graduating and working for a few years in the Houghton Lake area, I began preparations for the mission field in 1988 by attending the Institute of Frontier Mission, a YWAM training school for church planters. I joined the YWAM church planting team in Narita, Japan, in April, 1990.

PRESENT MINISTRY
Our present church, called Narita International Christian Fellowship, began Sunday services sometime in 1994. I became the team leader and church pastor in 1996, when the former leaders (Bill and Danece Stapleton) returned to the United States, and have continued in that capacity till the present.

FUTURE MINISTRY?
Only God knows the future, but I expect that I will remain in Japan for quite some time—at least until the Lord directs me to go somewhere else. My heart is still to continue with church planting.

LOOKING BACK
Looking back on my 21 years of service in Japan so far, there have been times of joy and times of sorrow, times of exciting growth and times of drudgery and struggle. I do occasionally find myself asking, “Is it all really worth it?” If I were only to look at outwardly visible “ministry results”, then the answer would be debatable. However, on a personal level, the answer to this question is not really about ministry results--it’s about loving the One who loved me first, and living to please Him. The reason I stay in Japan is simply that I believe that this is what the Lord wants me to do. I believe that my obedience brings Him joy. Walking with Him brings me joy! Even though I often fall, He always gently picks me up and sets me on the right path again—where we can walk together! And THAT is what has made it all worth it—yes, absolutely 100% worth it!