A Burden That Became a Mission
Our work was born from a deep burden for our neighbors—those sleeping in cars, skipping meals, or battling silent struggles with no support. What started as concern became a calling: to create a model that not only responds to crisis, but restores dignity. That burden still drives us today as we build community through housing, nourishment, and care rooted in the love of Christ.
Where it began
I didn’t grow up lacking the essentials. I had a stable home, food on the table, and resources around me to learn, grow, and find my way into adulthood. And for a long time, I assumed those things were simply normal. But in 2022, something shifted in my heart. The Lord began to place a growing burden on me—a persistent awareness of three critical areas of need in our society: housing, mental healthcare, and food access. I didn’t know where to begin, but the weight of it wouldn’t let go.
At first, the burden felt overwhelming—like something too big for me to tackle. But God kept pressing, reminding me that faith doesn’t wait for comfort or perfect clarity. It answers the call. That’s where Pioneers was born.
Why these three issues?
I believe these are the three pillars every person needs to flourish. Without safe housing, emotional support, and access to healthy food, it’s nearly impossible to focus on growth, purpose, or healing. These are not luxuries—they are foundational. And when people lack them, it doesn’t just affect their day-to-day life; it steals their sense of hope.
Housing is the center of our lives. It’s where we raise our children, rest our heads, and build the routines that make healing and progress possible. But today, housing has become a commodity—priced and packaged for profit rather than human dignity. Pioneers is committed to reshaping that narrative. Whether through a covenant-based transitional housing program, conventional housing assistance, or a lease-to-own model, our housing initiatives are designed to be more than shelter. They are launching pads for transformation.
Mental Healthcare is often dismissed, misunderstood, or ignored. I’ve seen its impact personally and through the lives of those close to me. People battling depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, trauma, or other mental and emtional challenges need more than medication or coping tips—they need care, compassion, and consistency. That’s why we’re building programs like “It’s Not Just Physical”—to bring practical, community-centered solutions and partnerships to those suffering in silence.
Food Access may seem simple, but it’s a deep injustice. Healthy food should not be a luxury, yet for many families it’s out of reach. By working with local food suppliers, mobile grocery options, promoting mindful nourishment, and making quality groceries affordable and accessible, we aim to restore dignity at the dinner table.
What God is doing through this burden
The burden was never mine to carry alone. From the start, God made it clear that Pioneers wasn’t just an idea—it was a calling. We’re not here to put band-aids on broken systems. We’re here to build something sustainable, relational, and spirit-led. Whether someone is meeting Jesus for the first time or needs encouragement to keep going, our goal is to walk with them—and to keep choosing joy in the process.
Isaiah 43:1–2 has become an anchor for me:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...”
Even when the mission feels hard or heavy, I know we don’t walk alone.
The essence of it all: Joy
If I had to boil it down to one word, it’s joy. Not fleeting happiness—but deep, Spirit-filled joy. The kind that lifts crushed spirits and brings life where there was once despair. Proverbs 17:22 reminds me:
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
That’s what Pioneers is all about—restoring joy by meeting people’s needs, walking beside them in love, and pointing them back to the source of all hope: Christ.
In 2024, during a season marked by financial strain, the weight of a recent autism diagnosis in our family, and several other personal challenges, my wife shared a verse with me that left a lasting impact. She even set it as my phone’s lock screen so I would be reminded of it every time I unlocked it. I won’t pretend that choosing joy each day is easy—because it isn’t. It takes intentionality, a selfless surrender, and a daily dying to self.
I fall short of this often, especially in stressful moments or when triggered by circumstances that test my peace. But one of the most beautiful truths of this life is the renewal we receive through Jesus Christ each day. With every sunrise, we are given a new opportunity to grow—as individuals and as followers of Him. Though the path may feel overwhelming at times, if Jesus could make the impossible possible, and raise from the dead, then we too can face and overcome the challenges life puts in front of us.
