Our story started four years ago when we fell head over heels in love on a cozy college campus in Ypsilanti, MI. It's amazing what God can do in four years. The Lord used our time at Eastern Michigan University to strengthen our faith and surround us with the love of the body of Christ . Neither of us would trade that time for anything. Yet it was also our time at EMU spent in the Word of God that directed our attention to the need for cross-cultural missions. We saw that while getting a college degree is important and profitable, the time and finances it would take to do so would hinder our ability to go.
We started training at New Tribes Bible Institute because it was cheap and we didn't know of much else at that point in the way of missionary training. It turned out to be the best decision we ever made. Now we are married, parents, graduated from NTBI and are spending two years interning for the school while we prepare for the next step. In the two years we studied at NTBI we were privileged to study chronologically through the entire Bible.
After this year we plan to go on to NTM's (New Tribes Mission's) MTC (Missionary Training Center) for 2 years where we will train for life on the mission field. Then its overseas (or south of the border) we go (see more on that under the New Tribes Mission tab).
Why are we doing this? First of all because
"All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."
(2 Tim. 3:16)
We recognize that the Bible is the only source of truth and light in this world of lies and darkness. Knowing it cover to cover is foundational for living.
Secondly, because God is a missionary God. He has always been in the pursuit of bringing people from every tribe, tongue, and nation to Himself. He desires to reveal his glory to every nation to receive glory from every nation. And he chose to use us to complete this task. Jesus gave final instructions to his disciples in Matthew 28:18-20,
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
That was over 2,000 years ago and still all ethnic groups have not yet been discipled. Ben and I want to honor God by giving our life for His purpose. It's not because we got a specific call from the Lord to do so and its not even because we feel a passion for missions that stirs our hearts every waking moment. Its because we recognize the authority the Word of God has over our lives. We love the Lord and we desire to see His name glorified.
