Our Story with the call...

It feels as though God has been placing the pieces of life together for us and now HE is saying quite directly, “you are ready to start.”  Confidence comes through His Word when we read, “He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it.”  Philippians 1:6.  Today we stand confidently at the threshold of this assignment, each with fifty plus years of preparation, ready to start, knowing God has said, “GO”

Faith formation happens on an individual basis.  For Christi, She really doesn’t know a time in her life when she didn’t know God and know that Jesus Christ is her redeeming Savior.  Craig’s faith journey came through college campus ministry where he was baptized and confirmed, being adopted into the family of Christ at age 20. 

Through 32 years of marriage, Craig and Christi have been servants in Christ in a range of settings.  Much time has been spent using musical interest and talent to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others.  Christi’s  music service began at age 12 as a church organist/pianist.  Craig developed and hosted a Christian music radio program on a local radio station for 10 years.  They both have been involved with Church music outreach ministry together for 20 years, traveling to area churches, reaching out with music in worship of our God.

The work experiences God has provided have been added together to complete our preparation as well.  Parts of the whole include retail store manager, fabric store manager, resort management, youth program director, business owners, bike repair, radio DJ, piano teacher, construction experience, carpentry.  More preparation was added through sales experience in books and bibles, printing, business office technology.  A couple final pieces have come through experience with non-profit organizations as director of a senior center and manager of a second hand retail market benefitting local and global missions.

Proverbs 3:6, “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” has been a fundamental strategy as we raised our 3 children.  Our daughter Jennifer, son-in-law John Hansel, and grandson Oliver live just down the street from us in Spencer.  We genuinely appreciate each day in close proximity as we interact through ordinary life activity as friends.  We have ‘The Main Campus’ which is ‘Grandad’s house’ and ‘The Second Campus’ which is Oliver’s house.  Our son Jonathan and his wife Anna are located in Holland, Michigan as Jonathan continues his education at Western Theological Seminary.  We wonder with great anticipation how God will use their talents together in a life of ministry.  Finally, Michael is a freshman at Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN.  A young man of many talents, Michael also has a heart for the Lord as he studies biology and chemistry, calculus, religion.

We have had overwhelming support from all of our family and friends as we have recently shared our intentions to simply be obedient and follow where God is leading and directing us to be HIS partners….to continue working side by side, together, in Haiti.