Testimonies
Graduate Staff
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.
George Brakeman
A.A. Executive Director
I was born may 27th 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. FastForward 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!
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.
Todd Lehman
Asst. 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 had 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 Janssen
Asst. 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 were 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 to 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.
Joel Jenkins
Program Overseer
In 2019 I could not read or write, I am 58 years old. The Lord taught me how by reading His word. I was facing a lot of prison time because of my past life of selling drugs, I lost my little girl at the age of 3 years old. I have not seen or talked to her for 33 years until I came to the mission and was obedient to the Lord. He is restoring that relationship with my daughter. I am no longer addicted to money and drugs, I was facing an 88-year sentence, I served 2 years, and I am a free man now, I owe the world nothing. I am able to serve the Lord whole heartedly here at the mission I don't plan on leaving unless He calls me somewhere else or home.
Krista Swanson
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 enforcements 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 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.