Inspire, Spring 2005

20 Spring 2005 F ollowing in the footsteps of my two older brothers, John ’60 and Jim ’61, I enrolled at Cedarville in the fall of 1961 and majored in physical science and math with the intent of getting a master’s degree in math and teaching at some small college. That was the “start here” dot. After graduating in 1965 and marrying Judy (Hartzell) ’65, I moved to Lafayette, Indiana, where I enrolled in Purdue University to get that master’s degree. After the first year, I changed to a relatively new discipline and major that was being offered — computer science. After the second year at Purdue, I took a programming position at General Electric’s Space Division at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Add the next dot. For about 15 years I enjoyed the challenge of programming, both at GE and at Leeds & Northrup Company, both located in southeastern Pennsylvania. While at Leeds & Northrup, I became aware of other needs within the programming group — that of training new employees and customers and writing documentation. The need was certainly great, for programmers are notorious for not wanting to write anything except computer code. They also have a reputation for viewing the teaching of new employees as beneath them. I had been teaching adults at church for several years and had also been doing some freelance writing, so with an interest in these areas and some proficiency, I felt I wanted to work more with people and do something a little different at work. Thus I volunteered to take these responsibilities on a part-time basis. Add another dot or two. After a year or two of doing documentation and part-time training, I was asked to head-up training full-time for a large influx of new employees and customers. This was a very challenging and rewarding time in my career, and I left programming, never to go back. Add a few more dots. The group I was placed in as training coordinator at Leeds & Northrup also included a new function in the programming world — that of software quality assurance (SQA). So through writing about SQA, teaching short sessions on the topic, and general osmosis, I developed a new technical interest and discipline. When business took a downturn at Leeds & Northrup, I took a position as software quality engineer with the Unisys Defense Division, where they made personal computers for the Army. The software for those computers had strict control and traceability requirements. Add another dot or two. My group at Unisys was also given the task of piloting a new quality initiative called total quality management (TQM). So everyone in our group became involved in trying to understand and define this new beast to make it fit and work in the Unisys environment. When business took a downturn at Unisys, I found a position at Delaware County Community College in a department that provided non-credit training to local businesses and manufacturing companies in total quality management and the manufacturing standards of ISO9000. A year later I was made director of that department and enjoyed several years of directing a small staff and providing training in a college environment. Add a few more dots. During this time, with our two sons in college, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in adult education from Penn State. I was committing my future career path to the field of adult education in some form or another. I graduated from this program in 1994. Dot … dot … dot. When the college closed our training department, I was once again looking for employment. I had always thought that after retirement I would enjoy doing volunteer work at our church or a Christian organization. So when the opportunity came for me to go on staff at our church as pastor of administration, I felt it was the Lord’s leading in yet another direction. Add more dots. I found full-time ministry to be rewarding and fulfilling, but when difficulties arose, I once again was seeking the Lord for His direction. OK, where to now, Lord? I had more than 35 years of employment in disciplines ranging from programmer to pastor. The paper was covered with lots of dots, but the picture wasn’t clear. What was this image that the Lord was developing? I had learned many skills and disciplines in my career and had many life lessons and character-building times during two periods of unemployment. My heart’s desire was to serve the Lord in a position in adult education at a Christian organization. I wanted to finish strong in His service and not just coast along until retirement. I applied at many places, but nothing was available. Then through a set of miraculous circumstances, God connected all the dots of my life. When He did, the image that emerged was three letters — AMF, American Missionary Fellowship. The story is too long to tell here, but part of it is that I had worked at AMF’s headquarters part-time 12 years before when I was between jobs, and Judy has worked for them as an assistant in the public relations department for the past 12 years. At AMF I direct the activities of the missionary education and training department, which includes developing and directing orientation for new appointees, continuing education for missionaries, lay leader training, and specialized training. It has been my heart’s desire to finish strong in my professional career and to have a ministry. I am so thankful that A Dot-to-Dot Career D o n E n t n e r ’ 6 5