Word in Life Ministries
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Ministry
  • Newsletter
  • Blog
  • Ministry Schedule
  • Videos
  • Books
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Ministry
  • Newsletter
  • Blog
  • Ministry Schedule
  • Videos
  • Books
  • Contact Us
  • Donate

About Us

About us


Picture
LaVern (Vern) 

Vern's Story

My Testimony 
        While I was growing up I always believed there was a god but I never realized that I could have a personal relationship with Him. It wasn't until I read through Norma
n Vincent Peales book, "The Power of Positive Thinking," that I understood I could not only talk with God but I could also have a personal relationship with Him. As a result of my faith, my life has changed. I am no longer quiet, I am able to have conversations with those around me and bring the conversations back to Christ.
I have developed a great knowledge of who I am in Christ and He has given me the desire to pray for people and see God heal and answer their needs. ​
My Ministry Experience 
  • ​1995-2001:  Founder of Abundant Family Living Church and Senior Pastor in Rochester, MN 
  • 2002-2003:  'Helps Ministry' at Family Lighthouse Church in Rochester, MN 
  • 2003-2009:  Associate Pastor at Victory Christian Center in Austin, MN
  • 1985 –Present:  A leader at Layman's School of Ministry at Grace World Outreach Church in Maryland Heights, MO 
  • 1985 - Present:  Home Group Leader for Financial Increase in Rochester, MN 
  • 2003-Present:  Teacher at Midwest Mission Bible Training Center in Cresco, IA
  • 2009-Present:  Set-up coordinator and Altar Minister at Highpoint Church in Rochester, MN ​

My Ministry Training 
  • Laymen's School of Ministry Part 1 & 11 – I received foundational growth as a Christian and learned how to meet the needs of others.
  • Healing Explosion through the Happy Hunters - After going through this course, we were considered Healing Technicians. Our position was to heal the sick and broken hearted in Jesus name.
  • Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, OK. - I learned what the requirements are to become a pastor. It helped me grow in God's Word and develop a life long commitment to the Holy Spirit's work in me.
  • Ordination by Rod Parsley Ministries - Received a ministerial pastor certificate.
  • Ordained through International Word Fellowship through David & Jody Baker in Chateau, OK- This gives me access to minister to people who are in prisons and hospitals. 
  • Continuing Education Seminar at Rhema Bible Training Center June- 4-7, 2001 - I learned how to develop church growth through practical applications.  
  • John G Lakes Ministries - These classes helped build my faith and gave me more confidence to lay hands on the sick and see them restored in Christ. 

My favorite part of 'Word in Life Ministries'
                I enjoy meeting a variety of people, hearing their stories, praying for the sick, and seeing them recover through the power of Jesus Christ working in their lives.  

Sandy's Story

 My Testimony
       At the age of 7, I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior, but I didn't really understand what salvation was until I was  baptized in the Holy Spirit at the age of 27. Since then I have served God wholeheartedly and have seen Him work in my life in so many amazing ways! He has shown me that I no longer need to be shy and has helped me change my wrong thought patterns. He has set me FREE from smoking and a reading disability.     

​​
Picture
Sandra (Sandy)
My Ministry Experience
  • 1973-1984:  Children's Church Teacher in various churches. 
  • 1984-1986:  Shuttle Bus Driver for Grace World Outreach Center in Maryland Heights, MO.
  • 1978-1986:  Prayer and Bible Study leader at Bridgeton Community Center in Bridgeton, MO.
  • 1986-1988:  Children's Church Leader/Teacher at Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, OK.
  • 1988-1989:  Children's Church Teacher at First Love in Princeton, MN
  • 1989-1991:  Involved in prayer and teaching at Praise Fellowship Church in Dodge Center, MN
  • 1991-1995:  Youth Pastor, Children's Sunday School Teacher, and Church Board member at Victory Christian Center in Austin, MN
  • 1995-2001:  Co-Pastor of Abundant Family Living Church in Rochester, MN
  • 2001-2002:  Church Board member and Youth Pastor for Family Lighthouse Church in Rochester, MN
  • 2003-2009:  Associate Pastor for Victory Christian Center in Austin, MN
  • 2009-Present:  Altar Minister and captain of the Care Team at Highpoint Church in Rochester, MN
  • 2015-Present:  Teach regularly at Midwest Mission Bible Training Centers in the U.S.​

My Ministry Training
  • "Change the World" School of Prayer- This is an intense weekend and it helped me develop a stronger prayer life.
  • Laymen's School of Ministry- I received instruction on foundational Biblical concepts. 
  • Rhema Bible Training Center- I learned how to be an effective pastor spiritually and practically.  
  • Continuing Education Seminar at Rhema Bible Training Center from June 4-7, 2001 – The seminar taught me how to become more efficient and how to go about increasing church growth.
  • Supernatural Ministries Training Institute (SMTI)- Helped me gain deeper insights into the Bible.
  • "Attachment Theory" Classes – I became a qualified counselor on the "Attachment Theory" in order to help people with life-long, unhealthy relationships.
  • Midwest Mission Bible Training Center January 2018-May 2018- I learned about submission and authority while realizing that I need to surrender everything to Jesus daily. 

My favorite part of 'Word in Life Ministries'
                         I enjoy teaching people about Jesus and seeing their lives transformed by the power of the Gospel in their life. ​

Our Story

Picture
  Our life together
         In March of 1970 we met at the Pla-Mor Ballroom in Rochester, Minnesota and on December 16, 1972 we were married. We have three  wonderful children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great granddaughters. 

Ministry we have done together 
  • Church Parking Lot Ministry
  • Laymen's School of Ministry 
  • Associate Pastors together at Victory Christian Center. ​​​
  • We started  and ran Abundant Family Living Church in Rochester, MN for 6 years and then merged it with another church.
How God has brought us here
         Vern and I have always had a heart for those who struggle with addictions and we love seeing people develop a personal relationship with Jesus. So in 2003 when Pastor Ray, from Victory Christian Center, introduced us to Mission Teens, we felt the Lord leading us to check it out. When we visited the Midwest Mission Bible Training Center, a branch of Mission Teens, we knew that God was calling us to become involved, it felt like HOME! 

        Since then we have become advocates for Mission Teens in various capacities and have enjoyed working with them over the years. In 2015 we felt called to become more involved in outreach for Mission Teens and are now committed to visiting all 20 of the Mission Teens centers that are dotted around the United States. When we visit a center we not only teach on the gifts of the Holy Spirit we also share the Good News of Jesus Christ so that they can have true transformation in their lives. To God be the Glory!  ​
We currently attend Highpoint Church in Rochester, MN. If you would ever like to visit our home church, here is the link to their website!
Highpoint church

If you have any questions about us or our ministry feel free to send us an email or give us a call, we would love to hear from you! ​​

Contact Us
​                      Copyright © 2020-2023 Word in Life Ministries - All Rights Reserved