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ABOUT US
Loren
People grow up with all different types of aspirations (money, power, significance). For me, growing up I always dreamed of adventure. I wanted to downhill ski in the Olympics, be a racecar driver, and sail around the world. Adventures of many kinds were exciting to me and I hoped that they would satisfy my hunger.
As I got older, I realized that adventures wouldn't bring fulfillment. They are definitely exciting, but there was something deep in my spirit which was lacking, and nothing seemed to fill it. No adventure, or job, or worldly thing seemed to satisfy.
It was a journey, but through many events, I've found the fulfillment and joy that I was lacking--and it was found by knowing and following Jesus. The fulfillment in my spirit grows as I get to know God more and as I live my life for Him. And it turns out that living a life with God is really adventurous as well!
In 2009 I left the world of engineering and joined YWAM in New Zealand.
During my Discipleship Training School in 2009 God showed me His heart for all the people of the whole world. That it is His desire for all people to know Him, to have the chance to become one of His children, and receive the same life and joy that I have received. It is now my passion that the goodness of God is spread throughout the world.
It was also during this time with YWAM that I met Stephanie, and we immediately connected on our passion for God and the world. We got married, have three children, and together live an adventurous life for God.
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
--Paul the Apostle Philippians 3:8
Stephanie
Since I was a child, I've had a strong desire to live a life of purpose and meaning. I knew even when I was young that pursuing wealth, power, status, etc. would never truly satisfy. I wanted something more. I decided to follow Jesus when I was 11. And that decision has been the foundation for thousands of other decisions over the years.
My exit from high school set me up perfectly for a successful life. I entered University with honors, scholarships, all I needed to pursue my degree and a dream life. The only problem was, I hated it. I constantly felt like I wasn't where I was made to be. I had a previous interest in doing a DTS with YWAM. So in February 2010, I left for Oxford, New Zealand.
My DTS was life-changing and deepened my desire to live a life of purpose-one lived wholly for God and nothing else. I felt called back to Oxford after my DTS, so I returned and spent the next 6 years staffing and leading DTS'. During this time Loren and I met, got married and began our family.
We've continued ministry with YWAM in the USA since 2017. The more I grow and learn, I'm continually convinced that Jesus is the best thing I can waste my life on. He continually shows me that all purpose, beauty, life, joy, etc. is all found in Him.
I believe with everything in me that God calls us to surrender every part of who we are to Him. That we would be completely open to Him in every way, as this is what true intimacy is. And that He calls us to this because it is the best, most excellent way to live. I am passionate about living this type of surrendered, poured out life--even though it can often feel quite uncomfortable. And I'm passionate about others seeing the value and choosing to do the same.
"Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? I encourage you to surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship. 2 Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes."
Romans 12:1-2
