I didn’t grow up wanting to be a teacher. I wanted to be a pilot, then maybe an accountant, but teaching never crossed my mind. A love for sports led me to attend teacher’s college; the opportunity to coach is what initially attracted me to the profession. I look at how God has given me a passion to help struggling young people and recognize this wasn’t always the case...

My teaching career began at Warman High School, where I taught for 10 years. My wife Jessi and I were already married and all three of our kids were born during this time. God began to connect me with many of the struggling teenagers at school and a desire to find ways to help them began to grow. My frustration with the school system’s inability to support students and their struggles grew as well. I didn’t blame the system, but recognized it lacks the resources to give the intensive support necessary. After seeing many of these students fall prey to addiction, ending up in jail (or worse), I knew God was calling me to something more.

It was around this time that Dallas Block came to our church and did a presentation about the ministry happening at Rock Solid Refuge. I also learned their current school principal was resigning at the end of the school year. I got home from church and Jessi and I were pretty sure this is what God had been preparing us for. God affirmed this calling over the next few months, so we sold our house and we were on our way to southwest Saskatchewan!

Working at Rock Solid has been the most difficult job I’ve ever done, but also the most rewarding. God has used this experience to work in my heart and life, teaching me lessons that I could only learn by being here. Seeing Him change the lives of the young men and their families that come here has given me a new and powerful perspective into God’s glory, love, grace, and mercy. My family feels privileged to be a part of Rock Solid Refuge and we look forward to seeing what God has in store for the future of this ministry.

We hope that this content has been informative and helpful. It is our desire to help families and bring struggling teens back together. We encourage you to share this information with others who may be in need.

Our ministry is primarily funded by our supporters, both individuals and churches, who partner with us to bring about restoration in these young men's lives. To join them in supporting Rock Solid Refuge and our ongoing ministry, please click here to donate!

Thank you for your support.