Both Jared and Heather grew up in the suburbs Minnesota attending Cedar Valley Church in Bloomington, MN. At the age of 11, during summer at camp Jared felt like God was calling him to be a missionary in Asia. As life went on both Jared and Heather went on many missions’ trips. During a trip in 2007 to China an interest in each other sparked. Later in 2010, Jared and Heather reunited after college through a not so blind date, eventually getting married in 2012.

In 2013, they attended a gala for an organization called Venture which started off their passion together for the people of Thailand. During a short-term trip to Thailand in 2014 they felt God calling them to serve in Chiang Mai Thailand. In 2015, they moved to Thailand to work with Venture. Their time was spent helping distribute Feed my Starving Children meals to refugee camps through Venture’s feeding program. They also taught English in a local community center. After serving for 2 years and some unforeseen circumstances, Jared and Heather felt God call them off the field.

 A few months after getting back to Minnesota, they found out that Jared’s father had stage 4 cancer. During the next 6 years his father’s battle with cancer grew their family closer together and to God. Following his father’s passing both Jared and Heather felt a stirring in their hearts for Thailand again. Taking time to fast and pray they felt God calling their family of 6 back to Thailand. After sharing this with close friends in Thailand they were invited to fill a much-needed roll at the RICD Wheelchair Project.

The RICD Wheelchair Project works to bring mobility equipment all throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia. They import wheelchairs and other equipment that is then custom fit to each individual recipient. With each fitting, they partner with the local Thai Church to share the gospel and bring the saving hope of Jesus to those we are serving. Stronger Together partners with the RICD Wheelchair Project to work with local churches, not only to help with the wheelchair distributions, but to also train, equip, and mentor churches in disability ministry. Additionally, Stronger Together hosts retreats for families affected by disabilities – building a community for those who are so often marginalized in a society that sees disability as a karmic punishment for past sins.

The work in Thailand is growing exponentially and one of the biggest needs is more long-term leadership to come alongside the team. In the past Jared helped consult on the RICD Wheelchair Project’s welding and fabrication department. His automotive and fabrication experience is a greatly needed addition to RICD Wheelchair project and he is excited to join and continue to grow the department. With our history in Thailand and our hearts to be in Thailand long term we are honored to have been invited to join the core team to continue to grow the Wheelchair Project and Stronger Together.

 Jared and Heathers role will be to integrate into both teams as they work cohesively to spread the gospel in Thailand and Southeast Asia by utilizing disability ministry. Heather is looking forward to reconnecting with some of the girls that she used to teach at the Hosea Center and beginning a mentorship relationship with them.

Jared and Heather have four children, Adelaide – born in Chaing Mai Thailand, Arabella, Amelia, and Luca - born in the U.S.