Jesus came to set the captives free—to give liberty, peace, joy and eternal life! Indeed, it is in knowing the Truth that one is set free! Mike and Barbara, both having been raised in the hopeless despair of false, works-based religion, came to experience this new life in Jesus Christ while still young. The Lord brought them together in upstate New York when their paths crossed one weekend, and it was not long before they were thinking about serving in Christian ministry and mission as a newly married couple. The grace and love they came to know—being delivered from death to life, from bondage to liberty—produced a burning zeal for the Lord and a desire that others might also come to know such amazing, life-giving love.

For the past thirty-five years, their journey of life, love and ministry has involved youth ministry, church planting, pastoral ministry, and mission trips to other countries. Teaching the Word and training leaders have been the priorities of that ministry because their passion has always been to share the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Now, with their years of pastoral ministry in the PCA and OPC behind them but still having an abiding zeal for the advancement of the Lord’s kingdom and the proclamation of the Gospel, ELI offers the perfect opportunity to use their gifts and experience. Second Timothy 2:2 directs us to “entrust [the Christian faith] to faithful men who will be able to teach others also,” so in March 2016 Mike traveled to India for the first time with Jim Whittle and experienced a very rich, Spirit-blessed ministry among the church leaders there. What an amazing honor and privilege to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and his Church through this equipping & discipling ministry! Mike’s and Barbara’s heart is for the knowledge of his gospel to spread throughout India and the world—to set the captives free in the knowledge of the Truth, and to exalt the One who is King of kings and Lord of lords! To him alone be all glory and honor, praise and thanksgiving!