Three Years on the Road: Our Deputation Story
Some links in this post may be affiliate links. That means I might make a small commission on qualifying purchases if you click the link. There is no extra cost to you.
If you’ve never heard the word “deputation,” don’t worry—you’re not alone. Before we stepped into missions, I’m not sure we knew exactly what it was either. But now, after three years of living it, I can tell you: deputation is part road trip, part faith walk, part church tour, and completely life-changing.
It’s the season where missionaries like us pack up the car (or van… or camper), buckle the kids in, and set off to visit churches all across the country. We share our burden, present the ministry God has called us to, and ask those churches to pray for us and, if the Lord leads, support us monthly. It’s how most IFB missionaries raise the funding they need to live and serve full-time on the field—whether that’s overseas or, in our case, stateside.
Our deputation journey was the path that led us to South Dakota, where we’ve spent the last several years church planting and reaching the Upper Midwest. But getting there? That’s a story worth telling.
Saying Yes
It all started with a simple yes. Actually, to be honest, it started with several NOs that eventually led to a “Yes, Lord”. God burdened our hearts for South Dakota, and even though it felt far from everything familiar, we said yes. We didn’t have a full support team. We didn’t have all the answers. But we had the call—and that was enough.
We hit the road with 4 kiddos in tow, a box of prayer cards, a fun display, and a whole lot of faith. What followed were three years of crisscrossing the country, visiting churches from coast to coast, and a wild experience during the COVID quarantines. Some Sundays we’d speak at a large missions conference with dozens of missionaries, and other weeks we’d visit a tiny congregation with a pastor who welcomed us like family.
Every church was different, but one thing was the same: God’s people were kind, generous, and so very encouraging. (Except a handful of wild experiences that we might share later).
The Road (and Life) Keeps Moving
If you’ve ever tried to live out of a suitcase with young children, you know it comes with its own set of challenges. Potty training on the go? That’s fun. Learning how to keep kids entertained in the church foyer between services? yeah, right. Nursing a grumpy baby through 3 services a day during a camp meeting? Nope. Our genius solution was to move our family into camper full time. This option meant no suitcases, no hotel rooms, and we always had home with us- right outside in the church parking lot!
Our family grew in more ways than one. During deputation, we added more little feet to our tribe. We went from 4 kids aged 9 months- 8 years to 5 kids under the age of 10. They learned to shake hands with strangers, sit still during church presentations (most of the time), and read road maps to figure out where we were going.
There were long drives, quick gas station lunches, sleepless nights at sketchy campgrounds, and countless games of License Plate ABCs. But there were also sweet family moments, unexpected blessings, and stories we’ll be telling for decades.
Photos That Tell the Story
One of the best parts of looking back at those years is the photos. We have hundreds—maybe thousands—of snapshots from our travels: our kids bundled in coats in Northern Minnesota, the Frontier Museum in Texas, and catching crabs on our own little private beach on the gulf coast
We’d love for you to take a peek into that season with us. Below is a gallery of 100 of our favorite deputation memories. You’ll see everything from our church visits and family hikes to the baby bumps and birthday cakes along the way. It’s not just a visual timeline—it’s a testimony of how God moved through every mile.
Arriving in South Dakota
When we finally moved to South Dakota, it wasn’t just a relocation—it was the start of the real work. We planted a church and poured our hearts into reaching a region that desperately needs the gospel. There were highs and lows (as there always are in ministry), but we knew we were exactly where God wanted us.
South Dakota isn’t just where we served—it became home. We set down roots and thought we’d never leave. The mile-wide views across the prairie, the resilient people, the slow winters and fast friendships. We planted seeds, built relationships, and saw God move in powerful ways. And then the Lord asked us to leave for a furlough. Only for a short time, but it was a hard blow. As we move forward in our furlough, we find ourselves preparing for something new… and a little bit wild.
What’s Next? (Here’s the Cliffhanger…)
As we begin this furlough to raise support, we are stepping into a whole new ministry.
Not a different ministry. Not a change from what we originally set out to do. But a new method, a new adventure, with new tools and resources.
We’re stepping out again, traveling once more—but this time, with a different goal in mind. This time, we’re raising support for a ministry that’s been growing quietly behind the scenes: aviation missions. Yes, you read that right. Airplanes. Dirt runways.. Remote towns. The gospel, delivered by air.
It’s something God’s been growing in our hearts for years, and now it’s time to move forward. We’ll be on the road (and in the skies!) for the next year as we raise the necessary funds to launch this next chapter of ministry.
But that’s a story for another post.
So stay tuned, friend. The journey isn’t over—it’s just lifting off. 🛩️
