Testimonies

Jared:
I was born in Pennsylvania on July 5th, 1977, as the third of five children. It is by the grace of God that my parents committed themselves to the Lord before I was born. At the age of four years (1981), I accepted the Lord into my life as my personal Savior. I gave public testimony of my salvation through baptism at the age of eight (1985).

Ever since my youth, I have had a desire to serve the Lord in a full-time ministry capacity. Having grown up in a pastor’s home, I understand the challenges and blessings that accompany this type of calling.

My parents moved to France as missionaries when I was in my senior year of high school. This time in France dramatically changed my perspective on world missions. I returned to the states for college with full intentions of returning to France once my formal studies were completed.

God placed a desire within my heart to serve Him in France over ten years ago, and it is something that I have not been able to dismiss from my mind (I Timothy 3:1). For me to ignore God’s call upon my life to serve Him in France would be nothing less than disobedience.

My wife and I are not only best of friends, we are a team that we believe God put together. I do not think that I could have ever asked for a more wonderful ministry wife. Rebekah and I greatly anticipate seeing God do great things through us we give the message of hope to the people of France.

Rebekah:
God allowed me to be born into a Christian home as the oldest of seven children. My parent’s godly example impacted my life greatly. At age four, I accepted the Lord Jesus into my life. Then at age seven, I followed Him in believer’s baptism.

While attending a youth conference as a teenager, I rededicated my life to Christ to serve Him in whatever way He led. It was that summer that I began thinking seriously about missions. I also learned sign language during my teenage years which developed into a love for the Deaf ministry.

I moved to Puerto Rico in 1998 where I lived for four years. Puerto Rico will always hold a special place in my heart for several reasons. My time there allowed me to gain an appreciation for various cultures as well as develop close, godly friendships. The most significant relationship I began there was with Jared Stevenson. We met while he was on a missions trip. After he left, we stayed in contact, and our friendship grew. However, upon his return from France in 2000, our relationship ended. For the next two years, we both moved on in our separate lives.

During that time, I learned that my satisfaction can only come from the Lord. Little did I realize that our parents were praying for us very specifically. Jared and I were reunited as a result of some encouragement by my father. This time my doubts were completely gone, and the Lord seemed to have given us His blessing. God knew better than us what we both needed. Looking back to God’s faithfulness to us in the past gives us more courage to trust His great faithfulness in our future ministry together!