All sorts of jobs: Montgomery Ward Catalog Store in Augusta, KS. Yes, I worked there during high school and also during the first two years of college.  Boeing Aircraft, in Outside Production, Wichita, KS as a buyer for commercial aircraft parts, this was between college graduation and active duty in the Navy.  Lear Jet, Wichita KS, in the Cost accounting department, this was after active duty in the Navy and before Seminary.  While in Seminary in St. Paul, MN, I mopped floors for Minnesota Fabric Company and stores, worked in housekeeping at Midway Hospital and one summer I worked night’s spot welding milk baskets.

Education: Attended Butler County Community College, Eldorado, KS 1962 to 1964. Attended and graduated from Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 1964 to 1966 with a Business Management Degree. Attended and graduated from Bethel Seminary, St. Paul, MN 1969 t0 1973, with a Masters of Divinity Degree.

Professional Ministries: My first paid position was a youth pastor at an inter-city church in St. Paul with lasted about 2 years. I pastored three churches, Cambridge, Nebraska for 5 years, Oak Lawn, Illinois (south side of Chicago) for 6 years, Ortonville, Minnesota for 10 years. Then for more than 15 years, I worked for the National/International office in Development of the Baptist General Conference now called Converge WorldWide. This development position involved helping people to contribute estate gifts, visiting churches all over the US, and coaching missionaries how to raise their support for their ministry. I officiated at many weddings and funerals through these years in addition to all the many other activities of the church.

Places I have lived: Emporia, KS 2 years; Wichita, KS for 1 year; Navy travel 14 months; Augusta for 1 year; St Paul, MN for 4 years during seminary, Cambridge, NE for 5 years; Oak Lawn, Illinois for 6 years; Ortonville, MN for 10 years; and now in Woodbury, MN (east side of St. Paul) 20 years and counting.

Family: Married Carol Harrison July 10, 1971. Carol worked as an ER nurse and retired December 2013.  First daughter Jennifer born 1974, Jennifer married Erik Hess in 1998 both are working as medical doctors in ER and has given us three grandchildren, Kara Grace 2004, Olivia 2006, Brendan 2008 and they live in Rochester, MN.   Our second and third daughters, twin daughters Lisa and Lori were born in 1976.   Lisa, lives in St. Paul, MN she works as a physical therapist Assistant.  Lori works as a missionary in Nara, Japan teaching middle school students at Kansai Christian School.

Trips: I have traveled to Japan, Thailand, and India as a part of my ministry. Carol and I have traveled with Lisa and Lori to Germany, Austria, and Prague Czech Republic. We have also made two trips to Japan to visit our daughter Lori. Within the US we have taken two Road Scholar trips one to Philadelphia, PA to discover its history, and the second trip was to Colorado taking rides on 5 different old trains and to explore the mountains. The first trip we have taken since both of us retired was 9 days in Hawaii on the Big Island the week of Christmas 2013 with extended family members.

Hobbies: I like to work on picture puzzles, I have not started one this winter because the snow outside has kept me busy moving the stuff off my driveway. I like to work on Sudoku puzzles as well. I enjoy tracking down high school classmates, which seems to never end because we keep moving around. Another highlight of my life is that I take care of grandkids about once a week. The youngest grandchild will start all day Kindergarten in September 2014, so this will soon take on a different adventure.

What is next?? Carol and I would like to travel some through Road Scholar. They make all the arrangements for the trip, and they hire professionals as guides and they will share history and insights of the location where we travel. We are looking at some international travel options. So many options it is hard to choose. We will continue to serve in our church here in the Twin Cities as lay people. Someday we will need to down size…however it is so easy to put this off… someday?? At present we live in a 4 bedroom house, two stories with a finished walkout basement on the east side of St. Paul. If you are ever in the Twin Cities area, give me a call…maybe we can share some of this great location with you.