Rick has served companies and non-governmental organizations for more than twenty-five years through the implementation and improvement of their financial, administrative, human resources and information technology capabilities. Because his relationship with God began in childhood with a reaffirmation of his faith during high school, Rick has purposed to use his skills, talents, gifts, and experience in global Christian ministry. Therefore he has a heart of compassion for those living and working in foreign contexts and is excited about assisting an organization dedicated to their care.

Rick is active in his local church, and a former Chairman of the Gladstone School District, and the CFO of the Molalla School District.

 

Debbie has been married 28 years to Rick and they have 4 children and 2 grandchildren. She committed her life to Christ as a child and has a heart for His service. Educationally, Debbie has a B.A. in English from Seattle Pacific University. She is an experienced and effective educator and helped found the preschool program at her local church. Debbie has participated in short term mission projects strengthening churches in Mexico and Italy. She is presently serving as a member of her church's Mission's Team. She is a gifted people person and enjoys helping others reach positive spiritual solutions to their problems. With this background, she wants to contribute her gifts, talents and experience to a ministry that encourages the hearts and empowers the abilities of missionaries and their families. In addition to spending time with her grandchildren, she enjoys reading.

 

Sheri has been married to David for 40 years and they have five children and nine grandchildren. Her commitment to Christ and ministry developed while gaining her B.A in Education from Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Most of her married life has been lived overseas involved in helping David lead Missionary and Humanitarian Aid Teams, while raising their children in these cross-cultural environments. She has a gift in counseling others, and earned a Masters in Christian Counseling from Western Evangelical Seminary in Portland, Oregon in 1994. Hospitality is another gift and desire of hers which she is using effectively in ministry to cross-cultural workers who visit the Oasis. Besides strengthening Missionaries and Humanitarian Aid workers, Sheri also desires to make a positive difference in the lives of women in Central Oregon.

 

David is a 1968 graduate of Hope College with a B.A. in History. While there he discerned God's calling for him to go into Christian ministry. This led him to gain a Masters of Divinity degree at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan in 1971. He was ordained in the Reformed Church of American in 1971 and sent into Christian ministry with The Navigators, an interdenominational, international Christian Organization functioning in 147 countries. He has spent the past 37 years initiating 6 ministries in various USA and international locations. His gifts of teaching, initiating, managing, and developing are being well utilized in their work with  Life Impact.

Because David and Sheri have spent 20 years outside of the USA, living and working in foreign contexts, they are eager to utilize their experience and gifts in helping younger cross-cultural workers be empowered and more effective in their situations. Both David and Sheri enjoy biking, cross-country skiing, and reading.

 

Linda was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  After an early conversion experience she was baptized in the Methodist Church.  Because of her commitment to Christ since childhood she appreciates the opportunity to serve on the Board of Life Impact to support those who are giving their time, energy and talents to the Lord in foreign service.

She attended the University of Oregon and received a BA in English in 1970, and also subsequently attended graduate school at Lewis and Clark in Portland, Oregon.  Linda has worked as an elementary school secretary, counseling secretary, high school secretary for the Lake Oswego School District Office, and at Washington Mutual as receptionist and loan assistant.

Her interests besides homemaker are knitting and reading.  She and Dave have two sons and live in Sunriver, Oregon.

For 28 years he was the sales manager for Abbott Laboratories from which he retired in 2003.  At that time Dave began working for Washington Mutual Home Loans as a loan consultant.  His interests are helping people develop financial strategies, make wise investments, and counseling them in these areas.  Presently he is doing that for the Bank of Bend. Outside of the office he likes skiing, fishing, and reading.

Also a committed Christian since youth and a Pastor’s son, Dave has a deep understanding of and heart for those who are in full-time Christian ministry.  From this life perspective, he realizes the importance of Life Impact’s ministry and desires to help that develop for international workers and pastors.