Mark was exposed to missions through his local church in Wisconsin when he was younger. However, it wasn’t until a friend of his encouraged him to go on a short-term trip in 1996 that he really grasped the great need for more labourers.  After coming home, he really wrestled whether to continue his academic path in international business or to withdraw and start pursuing missions. Through the conviction of the Word and the undeniable need in the world he changed direction and started the process of being trained as a future field worker. Mark’s wife, Ayuna grew up in the Soviet Union. Ayuna was saved through the ministry of field workers. They reached out to her people group in the late 1990’s after the Soviet Union fell.  Through the teaching of the word of God and the example of missionaries, reaching out was always part of the DNA of discipleship. She participated doing outreach programs with the field workers during the summer and did various Bible studies throughout the year. Seeing the need and understanding the Bible made God’s plan of redeeming people to Himself clear to her and that being involved in this work is the most satisfying and meaningful work possible.