I was born in Ohio and attended the School for the Blind and then moved to Michigan and continued my education at the school in Lansing.  While there, I attended South Baptist Church and heard about Cornerstone, which, at that time, was Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College. 

In the fall of 1968, I came to school and studied music and Bible.  In my attendance I met several people who have had a lasting influence on my life.  Some of these valued individuals have been privileged to go on ahead.  Dr. Crawford, who taught at the school for many years, gave me a love for the puritans, especially John Owen. 

It was also at Cornerstone where I received my nickname that has stuck with me through today, Bear.  While attending, I was involved in a skit and dressed up as a bear for it.  I put the costume on and the name stuck.

There were others.  My life has been richer because of their love and care for me.  I met a couple who took me under their wing and I moved in with their family.  While I was living with them they told me about a camp in northern Minnesota called Storybook.  They were able to take me there for the first time in ’73 and from that time on, Storybook has been an important part of my story. 

I have lived in Minnesota for the past 36 years and have had the opportunity to work at a group home for boys for the past 23.  During this time the Lord has used three things in my life to grow me spiritually: books, hymns and God’s people.  I am who I am today because of these three things. 

God has given me the opportunity to serve Him in many ways in the past years.  In the past 11 years God has opened the door for me to attend a bible school in Germany.  God has led me to be able to influence the lives of many “cubs” over the years in the U.S., Europe and even in Canada.  God has used several of these teenagers in a special way to influence me as well. Being able to see them grow up and be introduced to their “cubs” is a very special experience.

Not only has God written other people into my story, but He continues to show Himself as the main character as well.  God has been faithful in all things as He has provided for me and has used the lives of others to shape how I walk with Him on a daily basis.  I am what I am because of Him.