Gary and Cindy

How can God use a farmer in full-time Christian work? That was one of Gary's first questions as he felt God calling him into ministry. Growing up on his family's central Illinois farm, he says, "I raised corn, soybeans, hogs, and girls. (We have four daughters!) I was used to harvesting corn and soybeans, but felt God was calling me to the harvest referred to in Matthew 9:37-38." ( ... "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.")

When Gary attended a Promise Keepers event in 1993, he saw thousands of men desiring to be better husbands and fathers. God began to tug on his heart to enter ministry. He and his wife, Cindy, had always felt that "someday" God would call them to the mission field -- overseas and after their girls graduated from high school. But the Lord had different plans for them, and He showed them the vast mission field right here in the United States.

Today Gary and Cindy both work in the human resources department where Gary serves as the Manager of Staff Resources. He leads a team of 20 people who enlist, interview, evaluate, select, train (to raise support), and place all new FamilyLife paid and support staff members. Cindy works alongside Gary leading the team of evaluators who review all of the application materials of potential new staff.

Gary and Cindy are very grateful to be part of God's work through FamilyLife. Gary says, "I was happy where I was, but God has empowered me to see a bigger picture that I am now part of -- one of saving families from the ravages of sin and divorce in marriages. I am thankful that He chose Cindy and me... to do this eternal work."