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About Steve -- About Shelly -- About Us

About Steve

I was named Stephen Jonathan Jerrett on my birthday of September 10, 1975 in Thompson, Manitoba, Canada. However, I spent most of his life in Labrador City, Newfoundland, Canada.

Before graduating high school, I atempted to enlist in the Canadian Armed Forces but I was not accepted into the military. After graduation, I tried to become an air traffic controller but again, I failed to score high enough during the testing to continue on.

I then figured that God had a plan in store for my life and that I would just be patient and wait for Him to reveal it to me. During that time of 3 years, I worked at a local department store and Radio Shack.

During the spring of 1996, I felt a desire to become involved in missionary work. I had always felt moved when a missionary came to our church and this was something that really interested me. However, I was not interested in spending 4 years at Bible college when there were so many opportunities to go out immediately and do some sort of service for the Lord.

After investigation several opportunities, a friend told me about Teen Mania, a radical group in Texas whose vision is to equip teenagers to make a positive impact on the world in the name of Jesus Christ. I remember looking through the brouchure and as I turned the page to the Russia team, I instantly knew in my heart that I would be going there.

I finally went to St. Petersburg, Russia during the summer of 1997 and my life was changed. I realized why the doors to the Armed Forces and other paths I tried were closed. It was because God had a better plan in mind for me.

When returning from Russia, I learned about Bethany College of Missions in Minnesota, USA. It was a different kind of Bible college, where you didn't spend 4 years in a classroom, but you were actively involved in ministry throughout the 4 year program.

I applied and was accepted the following fall so in August, 1998, I left not only my home, but also my country to take the next step in my life in the United States.

About Shelly