As a Christian, I have a strong Christ-centered belief in Bible-based principles. I try every day to live my life by these teachings. For me this is very much a living faith that extends into all aspects of my life. Even if you are not a believer, this should be of importance to you in that you know that I along with my staff are people who hold honesty and integrity as very high standards. You should expect the best from us.
It would be my hope that as you come to our office, you will see the light of our faith in us. We do not preach or impose our beliefs on anyone, but it is my prayer that as you see us, you will be impacted in a positive way, and that you might take a part of that joy with you.
Faith in God and one’s personal relationship with Him is most important. Faith is a gift that you receive. I do feel that our life activities are also important to the further development and maturation of our faith and we do try to live this. I’m sharing these topics with you not to try to “show off” or to try to act special in any way. I am humbled by the ways that God has allowed me to pursue my faith and I feel blessed every day by these opportunities. I put these out here so that you might get to know me better:
Youth Ministries: In the recent past I have been involved with the Youth Ministry and Youth Music Ministry. This started when my son entered high school and became involved in these programs. I have had the opportunity to work with the students organizing and arranging music for them. I have also played along with the student musicians at their weekly meeting playing guitar and singing. I also had the opportunity to work directly with the students in issues of guidance and faith.
Adult Music Ministry: I regularly get to participate in Sunday services as a drummer in the Adult Music Ministry at church. I have also had the opportunity to play guitar and sing with this ministry. Along with my family, we give time to help with various projects and support ministries.
Father and Son Retreats and Men’s Retreats: I along with my son’s have helped with music and organization.
Family Adult Bible Study Host: We host and lead and are actively involved in this ministry. We have been involved as leaders for several years.
Fall Festival: We participate as volunteers and organizers in the annual Fall Festival at our church. This festival is held in October and l is open to the entire Racine area community.
Men’s Bible Study: Regularly participate in men’s bible study groups and have been involved with hosting and leading.
Mission Trips: I along with my family and more recently my staff have been involved in international humanitarian/mission trips. We have primarily been on medical/dental mission trips where we travel typically to remote areas setting up medical/dental clinics often in open-air shelters. We provide free care to local people. Often we are exposed to village and tribal people of various cultures. It amazes me how people will travel for many miles to come for care. Setting up these clinics involves planning, organization, and procurement of support and equipment. We donate our time, financial support, equipment and services to provide care for the underserved in the world. This is a wonderful way to not only share your talents but it is also a wonderful way to share with the world that we in the United States are a generous and caring people.
My family and I went on our first mission trip to Panama in 2002. We were involved in a team of people constructing several buildings and repairing several others at a children’s camp. We did everything from pouring concrete, putting in plumbing and electric, to putting up walls and painting. I even learned how to weld. On that trip the people we served learned that I was a surgeon and they “guided” me away from what I felt was my desire – to do something “different” – toward providing surgical care.
Subsequently we have gone on a number of medical/dental trips along with my family and staff members. Several of my family members have also been on other mission trips by themselves.
We also have become connected with the missionaries at these and other locations. A number of them have traveled to Racine, usually as part of a visit to the U.S., and have had their oral surgery care provided here. We are presently working toward providing a major reconstructive facial surgery for a young missionary from Argentina.
Mission work is extremely rewarding. It is challenging and you are often placed well outside of your comfort zone. But the experience and rewards that you come away with are far greater than anything that you could put into it.
We have been to Panama (2002 & 2006), Guatemala (2005 & March 2007), Papua New Guinea (2006) and New Zealand (2006). The future holds many opportunities and we plan to continue in this.
