Jim is originally from Kansas City, MO and has resided in Florida for over 30 years. He trusted Christ when he was ten years old after viewing the film “A Distant Thunder” which revealed what would happen after the rapture and the Lord’s return. Tara is from Gray, TN and trusted Christ when she was eight years old at Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church in Gray, TN. We met in the fall of 1991 at Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, TN and were married in March of 1993. After graduation, we served in Awana as Sparks leaders and Jim served as commander for five years.

We received our calling in March of 2000. We were burdened of the Lord to serve with Awana wherever He would have us go whether it is in Florida or another country. The process took almost eighteen months and we were officially appointed as Awana Missionaries on July 1, 2001 to the South Florida region.

The first five years have been an amazing journey as we see what the Lord is doing at Awana Headquarters and around the world with the Awana ministry. We have seen substantial growth in South Florida and many young people make decisions for Christ. The Lord has blessed with health and safety as we travel and our children, Timothy and Kaitlyn are in their third year of T&T.

We embrace the growth but want to make sure we don’t sacrifice quality for quantity. It is our desire to be humble servants to the churches in South Florida and strive to meet their needs along with our ministry team to help them reach boys and girls and their families for Christ using the amazing tool of Awana as a ministry. We pray the teen ministries with 24-7 will continue to grow and disciple the youth in South Florida and that they can make an impact for Christ in their local community.

Some passages that have meant a lot to us are Psalm 55, Psalm 121, and Psalm 139. The Lord is always there for us even though we are unworthy of His amazing grace and mercy. Please pray for our family as we continue to serve as Awana Missionaries that we focus on the Lord for strength and guidance, remain strong as a family with balance and willing servants to be used of the Lord ministering in Awana.