Garth comes to MAF from Calvary Community Church in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, where he has been the Youth Pastor since 1997. He spent his early years in Pasadena, California, and his youth and early adulthood in northern Virginia. He had a biblical foundation from going to church as a child, but didn’t make a decision for Christ until he was in his mid-twenties. At age twenty-six, through a time of heavy spiritual attack, he was confronted with the Gospel and he realized that He knew a lot ABOUT Christ but didn’t KNOW Christ. So, in 1986, he gave his life to Christ. Garth’s Uncle Glen was a major spiritual influence in his life as who exemplified a humble, daily walk with Christ. Garth began attending Reston Bible Church in Reston, Virginia, in 1991, and it was through their strong dedication to missions that he learned about missions work and MAF. He has been on three mission trips so far – two to Mexico and one to Costa Rica.

Rachel has spent most of her life in Wisconsin – Lake Geneva and Waukesha. She shares that her mother has been the biggest influence in her life, and at the age of four her mother told her about Jesus one night before bed. That night she prayed and became a Christian. Growing up, her father served as chairman of the mission committee at their church and missionaries often were invited to dinner when they visited their church. In addition, her aunt and uncle, Carol and Russ Wardle, were missionaries with MAF for several years. When she was 16, her family took a short-term mission trip to Ivory Coast, West Africa. One of her favorite Bible passages is Psalm 37:3-7. She says, “These verses tell me how I should live my walk with the Lord; to trust, delight, commit, and be still.”

Garth and Rachel met while they both were attending New Tribes Bible Institute in Jackson, Michigan. They were married in 1995. In 2002, Garth received a BA in Youth Ministry from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. His life verse is John 1:29b, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

Garth shares, “When John the Baptist said this, I can only imagine the eyes of those around him beholding the Lamb of God. I can imagine they were transfixed on Him as He approached to be baptized. I want to always ‘behold the Lamb of God.’ I don’t want anything to take my attention off my Savior. When I keep my gaze fixed on Him, I am able to ‘walk on water’ as Peter did.”

To fund the worldwide ministry of MAF, God is faithful in providing generous ministry support from His caring people. He has called the men and women of MAF to serve Him in a unique way.

He is also calling people like you to play a special role in the ministry of MAF around the world. You are invited to become a ministry partner with Garth and Rachel in this strategic ministry. Please prayerfully consider involvement with them through prayer and/or financial support.