Elaine and I met on a musical mission trip to East Africa. The team was called CrossFire ‘73, a part of Lutheran Youth Encounter. We traveled as a group for 15 months, Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia. We were married in 1975, and I began seminary. My internship was in Astoria, Oregon, which began a lifelong connection to the Northwest!
We eventually became missionaries to the Gbaya people of Cameroon, West Africa. For 12 years I was the director of a Bible School and Elaine worked with a couple groups of women in Garoua Boulai. We worked in two languages, French and Gbaya. We were blessed with three children, Bethany, Heidi & Derek. Now all three are married, with kids, and we are empty-nesters. We moved back to the US in ‘93 and I entered grad school once again while Elaine taught music. We served 4 churches in Minnesota.
We moved out here in 2017, where we have served 5 churches in this region, currently serving Elim Lutheran in Port Orchard. Elaine taught music at Blakely Elementary on Bainbridge Island (where our three grandsons were among her pupils). I have a lot of hobbies and interests, primarily Archery (I am a level 4 certified coach with USA Archery and coach of the Island Archers), fused glass art, guitar, photography, ham radio, hiking, camping, auto mechanics, woodworking, to name a few.
Officially I retired 2 years ago and Elaine retired last June, but still does subbing. We are hoping to explore the Northwest region, spend as much time as we can with our grandkids, and declare the Goodness of God in every possible way.
Pastor Mike and Elaine