"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
-Philippians 4:13
hope for the desperate
Testimonies
Graduate Staff
"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
-Galatians 2:20
Meet some of our staff here at the Gaastra Mission. The staff have gone through the program and have stayed on to serve the Lord.
​ We dedicate our time to help those in need. We believe that testimonies are very powerful. The word says that we overcome by the power of our testimony and the blood of the Lamb. So, we would like to share just a few of our staff's testimonies with you.
Tim Sack
Resident Director
I've been here at Mission Bible Training Center for a little over 5 years now, and let me testify that God is real and good to those who love and obey Him I came to the mission just like everyone else. Desperate, broken, lost, hopeless and just wanting to die. I was sitting in the hospital detoxing, and I remember the vision I had. This figure was sitting in the corner of the room, and He said, "you will not die, but live and declare my works." I was scared, didn't know what to think. Ten days later I was at the mission. My sister, Lizzy, brought me up here. When she left, I started crying. For the first time in my life, I felt hope. Something was different. it was God.
Krista Swanson
R.D. Executive Assistant
I came into the mission the first time 3-28-21. I was very angry, bitter, hurt, broken and desperate for a change. I was on 20 different medications addicted to meth. Looking back on my life and the encounters with law enforcement and how many times that I should have been locked up for a very long time. I see that it was God that stepped in and would change the plan for my life. He does have a plan for my life. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.My hope and faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ who saved me and there is no place I would rather be than to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
George Brakeman
A.A. Executive Director
I was born May 27, 1960. In a little town north of Alabama, called Decatur. During the Vietnam conflict my dad was fighting this war. My mom had to take care of us. No Government help like there is now, but believe it or not it was a real good life. Fast Forward to all the way to high school that was where, I got into smoking marijuana and drinking. This habit took me through my broken marriage, only to escalate from that point on. Getting arrested, in and out of jail. I didn't ever think I was going to live life without being incarcerated. The last time I got arrested facing a long-term sentence was where I met JESUS. He introduced me to Mission Teens. Where I am still at today and God is still at work!
Todd Lehman
Resident Director
I was born in 1966. I'm from northern Wisconsin. I had a wonderful childhood with a loving mother and father, and four older sisters. Shortly after high school, I realized I had a fondness of alcohol. Over the next 30 years that turned into a huge train wreck. I came to the Gaastra Mission the last time on May 4th, 2015. I have been here since, making the decision to pick up my cross and follow Him, with whatever plan He has for me. Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take ahold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Forgetting to do what is behind me and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus
Chip Janseen
Resident Director
​I am 59 years old. I was born in 1962. I was raised catholic but never the bible. I found out later that if a new believer is ready for the WORD, they should open the bible to the book of John. The Spirit told me where to read first, and God has changed my life to know JESUS personally. The joy filled my being beyond understanding. I started working with Tom Newton from worship and praise ministries in 2002. Tom introduced me to Mission Bible Training Center (MBTC) and I fell in love with ministry. Tom asked me once what my passion was when we were traveling to 4 different mission teens centers. I said I want to work at MBTC in Gaastra, MI., but I would never have guessed my journey would have been as it was. I was slain in the spirit in 2002, and the Lord told me things I needed to do and that I would teach and preach at my old age. I continued teaching at the mission in Gaastra, and being blessed and blessing them with the Word, and with nachos and popcorn. I love MBTC. I chose life and the Mission. God has restored my faith, even doubled what I had when I started this journey for Jesus. I want to be more Holy, and Jesus is teaching me to do that. I am ready and willing for my good race for CHRIST.
Neil Federmen
R.D. Over Office
My name is Neil Federman, and I am 60 years old. I was born November 18, 1964, in southern Wisconsin, to a very poor family. My father was an alcoholic, and my mother had suffered from depression and mental health issues. I learned from a very young age that if I wanted something I had to take it. I learned to steal at a very young age, and I got very good at it! So, my childhood was filled with trouble, I soon developed a bad reputation. I was sexually molested by a distant relative from 7 years to 9 yrs old. I was bullied until 16 years old then I started drinking and drugging because of my childhood. I became a very angry person and started hurting people, because of my drinking, drug use, and anger issues. I did a lot of jail time- 7years total. Even in my mess I managed to have two beautiful daughters. I also have grand kids. I didn't know it, but God was already blessing me long before I knew Him, I developed a bad problem with opiates, so my downfall continued to spiral, I died 3 times and had to be resuscitated and learned nothing, I didn't care about myself or anyone else. Eventually I lost my home and career of 25 years. I slipped further and further into darkness. Then as if things weren't bad enough, I got into meth. I couldn't afford it, so I started dealing. I did that for 3 years right before I came to the mission. In the end, I was a completely broken person. I came into the mission on Oct. 22nd, 2021, with a stab wound and destroyed as a human being. When I was down by the Wisconsin river, dying, is when I finally heard God's voice telling me to go to the mission. So, I listened, and finally came here. The first 2 months, I didn't like the people or even being here. Then the Lord started to bless me; my body started to heal; I started to seek the Lord; I started coming up in the program. I am now an Assistant Resident Director and oversee the office here in Gaastra, MI. I know that if it were not for God that I would be dead. I am so very grateful for what he has done for my life and is continuing to do for me. The restoration in my family and that I have purpose, I have breath in my lings..... Thank you JESUS
Preston Moravac
Trustee Overseer
I was born on June 16, 2005. I am from Eau Clare, WI. I grew up in a very dysfunctional family getting beat up all day every day; getting hurt all day every day. I started using hard drugs (meth and heroin) at the age of 11. My dad left the day I was born and my mom abandoned me at the age of 8. I started selling dope at school and got kicked out. At the age of 17 I got into a bad accident that nearly ended my life due to a drug overdose which killed two special people in my life. For the longest time I couldn't forgive myself and I still have a tough time forgiving myself. I have also been stabbed seven times in the stomach, so I have severe stomach issues. I am almost a year sober now and the Mission has helped me out all this time. God has kept me alive after six overdoses and three bad car accidents. God has a surprise waiting for me up in heaven. God and the Mission has helped me forgive myself for everything. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. On April 15, 2024, my grandma died of a heart attack and that was my closest family member that never beat me, never tortured me, and was always there for me even through my ten-year addiction, but the Lord took her from me. After that the next two years were a living hell mentally, physically, and emotionally. I was in a gang my whole life. I've been through a lot more I don't want to talk about because it still haunts me today. All I can say is God is always here for us as long as we give our lives to Him and repent for all we have done. He has been with me and is also with you. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.