The Big Decision

Inspired by several short-term missions over the past twenty years, our desire has grown to serve as full-time cross-cultural missionaries, to take the Good News to the unreached.  But God, in His perfect wisdom, commissioned us to serve in the U.S. Army.  We have been shaped by the military culture and are grateful for the opportunities the Army has given our family.  We have travelled the world living and serving among diverse cultures and people.  The Army has been God’s provision for our family’s livelihood, a unique place to learn and practice practical life ministry, and more importantly a challenging environment to grow in godly character; we are motivated more by obedience and mission accomplishment than personal preference. 

In 2008 we were introduced to Engineering Ministries International – a non-profit, Christian relief and development organization who mobilize design professionals to serve the spiritually and physically poor in developing nations, to lift them from poverty to hope.  Since late 2008 Jennifer has served as the Administrator in their world headquarters here in Colorado Springs. 

Scott deployed with EMI’s first Disaster Response Team to the epicenter of Haiti’s devastating earthquake in January 2010.  There he discovered a unique application of his military experience.  While the volunteer engineers provided water, sanitation, and structural assessments, Scott served to provide for the team:  transportation, fuel, food, water, shelter, communications, and physical security.  In so doing, he witnessed the impact of disaster response as a ministry to the poor and those in great need.  The engineers’ practical help gave the team an otherwise un-open door to further minister to the Haitians’ spiritual needs through encouragement, prayer, and even discipleship.

Last summer EMI asked Scott to consider the position of Disaster Response Director, to advance the program’s vision to anticipate, assess, and respond to unmet needs of the poor within days of any disaster worldwide with fully equipped EMI response teams trained in disaster assessment and technical consulting.  After a great deal of prayerful consideration he has applied and anticipates assuming the position after retiring from the Army in January 2013.  Given God’s grace, he hopes to grow and manage the program by integrating Disaster Response with existing EMI operations and future initiatives.  We also look forward to working together at EMI’s headquarters.  This new chapter is a welcome turn in our journey.