Answering ALL your questions about WHO we are!
Our Ministry Experience.....
When became members of the First Evangelical Free Church of Rockford, Illinois, after our wedding. After being very involved there at the church, we joined the staff of Timber-Lee Christian Center, an Evangelical Free Church camp and conference center. While ministering in Wisconsin, we "planted" the Southern Lakes Evangelical Free Church, along with some awesome other friends. The church is thriving today! We ministered there for 9 years, and in 1989 moved to Alaska where we served at Victory Bible Camp, with InterAct Ministries. In 1991 we transitioned to a Church Planting Ministry in central BC, residing with the Chilcotin First Nation, and with InterAct Ministries. What an incredible time this was for us and our family. We learned so much from the Tsilhqot'in people, and they welcomed us into their lives and communities. We were fortunate to begin learning the language, and it was one of the richest experiences that anyone could have- living and learning from another culture.
In April, 2013, we relocated back to Alaska and continue in our present ministry.
Education and Training.....
Steve has adequate credits for a BS but has chosen to take these over many years and through a variety of universities and colleges. These include: Trinity Western University, Liberty University, Alaska Bible College, Rock Valley College, and Moody Bible College. His focus for course work was Bible training, missiology, psychology and Christian education.
Jill holds a BS in Eduction from UW Whitewater, a Graduate Diploma in special education from Simon Fraser University, additional courses in special education from Athabasca University, and a M.A. in leadership from Trinity Western University.
Steve has Fire-fighter Level 1, Hazmat Level 1, and Forest Fire Level 100 training, as well as Workplace Level 2 First Aid. He is a Clinic Instructor/Master Instructor and Wilderness Packing Guide with CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association.)
Jill and Steve are both certified: Restorative Justice Forum, Critical Incidence Stress Management, Suicide Prevention, Genesis Process, Precept Bible Instructors, as well as taking numerous modules through the Worldview Resource Group, CLAWare course on culture and language acquisition from New Tribes.
Jill has had extensive experience in education while in BC. Jill served as principal in two First Nation Schools, and as consultant with the First Nation School Association. Jill was an external Chair for the First Nation School Association School Assessment, sat on the Specialists of Instructional Services team, is a DIBELS Next mentor and trainer, and worked with FNSA Special Education team as an education consultant to other schools. Jill participated with a pilot project to develop provincial Professional Learning Communities among the First Nation School Association in BC. Jill has led several workshops at the FNSA conferences.
About our family.....
We are SO blessed! We have three adult children. Sarah and her family reside in Wasilla, and they have 6 children, and their eldest son was married in 2016. Ryley (grandson) and Olivia also live in Wasilla, and little baby Lincoln (great-grandson) was born on Christmas day 2017! Nathan and his family are soon moving back to Palmer, and are blessed with 6 children. Ruth and her family reside in Colorado, and they have four children. We are blessed to have Steve's Mom and Step-Father residing in Arizona.
Our Passion
We are passionate about growing in our spiritual relationship with God.
We believe that God has given us the experiences, spiritual gifts, training, and skills necessary to do the task to which He has called us.
We believe that we are responsible to use what God has given us, and to maximize the things we have learned in the past to whatever opportunities God privides in the present.
We love working with people and enjoy being part of teamwork that allows each individual to reach their potential and attain team synergy.
We enjoy challenges and new opportunities, and are so excited to be a part of what God is doing here in Alaska!