The Tremendous Need

 The African church is by far the fastest growing church in the world. By the year 2060, it is estimated that 42% of the world’s Christians will live in sub-Saharan Africa, up from the current 26%. However, there is already a severe shortage of trained pastors—only an estimated 5% of pastoral leaders are trained for pastoral ministry, meaning that currently over one million are serving with little or no training.  Consequently, most believers lack sound biblical teaching and discipleship. They are like sheep without a shepherd. Africa urgently needs faithful servant leaders who are growing more like their Lord, committed to His Great Commission, skilled in ministry, equipped to lead, and trained to teach God’s Word accurately. 

Our Initial Response
After committing his life to Christ in college, Gary sensed God’s call to a full-time teaching ministry (2 Tim 2:2). He then pursued further preparation at Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M. in Christian Education) and The University of Texas at Austin (Ph.D. in Educational Psychology). We joined Campus Crusade (now Cru) in 2003 and had the privilege of serving at Nairobi International School of Theology (NIST, now called ILU) in Kenya from 2005 to 2015. Gary led the master’s level program in Christian Education and Formation, and Liz taught in the certificate program part time. In 2012, God led us to join SIM to increase our ministry opportunities in Kenya to include Moffat Bible College and Carlile College in addition to ILU. 

SIM USA Ministry - TX Home Base
In mid-2015, we returned to the USA and God strategically expanded Gary’s opportunities to teach from our base in Texas. SIM invited us to become “US-based missionary staff” and Gary to serve as a “seminary professor without borders.”  Thus, Gary served as a “Global Theological Educator,” training desperately needed pastors and church leaders overseas for  eight years.  Gary taught at the several schools, most frequently at: 

• Jos ECWA Theological Seminary (JETS) in Jos, Nigeria; 
• International Leadership University/Nairobi International School of Theology (ILU/NIST) in Nairobi, Kenya. ; and
• The Evangelical Seminary of West Africa (ESWA) in Monrovia, Liberia.

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During our time back in Texas, Elizabeth served our family at home and also served in ministry by teaching high school science at an evangelical Christian school. Our son, Daniel, finished high school, took some college courses, worked, and has now started a career serving in the military. 

Our Current Roles with SIM Liberia

In 2023, God led us to join SIM Liberia to serve at the Evangelical Seminary of West Africa (ESWA) in Monrovia full time. We packed up, rented our Texas home, and arrived in Liberia in August 2023. We stayed in temporary housing and started a one-month long field orientation right away. Then, we moved into our newly renovated SIM mission house on September 11, 2023. Our transition as "newcomers" will actually continue this first year back overseas as we learn how to navigate and serve in this very different, but wonderful, new culture.



Gary began teaching courses at ESWA on September 18. Gary's role at the seminary is vital. Gary serves as the VP of Academic Affairs (Academic Dean) while also teaching seminary courses. Liz has been helping us to settle in to our new home - supervising repairs, buying furniture and household goods, etc. However, in October Liz also began serving at ESWA. Currently she serves as a Christian Education specialist, with the website, and also teaches courses at ESWA. 

Please keep us in your prayers. The ministry needs in Liberia are very great, and we are excited about the privilege of training pastors, educators, and other ministry leaders for the African church. To God be the glory!