Wayne grew up in central Ohio in a stable home where Christian principles were taught. His mother took him often to a small, country church. Wayne was attracted to the idea of being a preacher someday, but those notions faded as he approached his teens and spent many hours reading science fiction books. An interest in science developed early--by the 8th grade he had decided to pursue chemistry as a career.

So Wayne headed off to Ohio University, earning a bachelor of science degree in chemistry. Finding housing his senior year set in motion the events that led to his coming to faith in Christ. He ended up living in a house run by a local Christian group. After the first week of school he went with some of the others from the house to a retreat and committed his life to Christ. Wayne went on to Iowa State University to get a Masters degree in Organic Chemistry, and then headed off to Atlanta to pursue some Ph.D. studies. Good churches in both locations helped him grow in his Christian life. A move to St. Louis to work for a chemical company led Wayne to a BGC church. He was discipled by the pastor, and enrolled in some seminary courses. Even as Wayne and Jessica are raising funds for their ministry in Thailand, Wayne is continuing to work on a degree in missions.

A missions-minded church and a pastor who preached about missions were part of Wayne's experience while living in Atlanta. He began to read and pray through Operation World. In 1996, Wayne's pastor in St. Louis suggested he consider missions. He put it off until a missions sermon in '97 put him over the edge. As he began to actively pursue if there was a place in missions for him, he began dating Jessica. They discovered a common love for each other--and a desire to serve God together in missions.

Jessica was born in Korea and raised there until her family came to the United States when she was in 8th grade. As a young child Jessica and her brother were taken to church by her mom, although her mom didn't stay and attend with them. Jessica loved it. She enjoyed the singing and all the other activities church provided. She learned what Jesus had done for her, and accepted his salvation. After coming to the U.S., Jessica became active in a Korean church in Philadelphia. When Jessica left for college, she had the foundation for her personal spiritual walk, and her personal habits of study to grow in Christ developed.

EDUCATION/MINISTRY EXPERIENCE:

Jessica's education background is a study of various cultures-- from school in Korea to a predominately black and Hispanic junior high school, a mainly white high school, and then on to Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Temple University in Pennsylvania. She earned a bachelor degree in Biochemistry, and put it to work in a company in Pennsylvania. When that company folded, she moved to St. Louis to work for Sigma Chemical. Wherever she was, Jessica took an active role in the local church, serving through teaching and music.

CALL TO MISSIONS:

Since childhood, Jessica has wanted to be a missionary. In high school she rededicated herself to be a missionary, and made that known to her pastor. Affirmed in such a decision, he prayed with her that God would lead that direction. Years later, working as a chemist and still single, Jessica wondered if God really meant for her to be on the mission field. Just as she had pretty much given up on the idea, God brought she and Wayne together. She's thrilled to see that what she thought was God's plan all along is being worked out today.