We are moving to Scotland!

To some, this sounds like a dream vacation or retirement destination, but for us, it’s a calling. In fact, after 30 years of pastoral ministry we’ve never felt more certain about what God wants us to do even though it will be a challenge for us; we’ll be away from our family, as well as facing big changes financially and professionally.

When people think of Scotland they think of a land of rugged scenery, ancient history, and friendly people. But we have come to know that Scots feel increasingly isolated and struggle with depression, hopelessness, loneliness, drug and alcohol abuse, and suicide. Religious faith, including Christianity, has been largely abandoned. A majority of 5.4 million Scots say that churches are institutionalized, old-fashioned, and irrelevant to their daily struggles (some might say this is happening in America, too).

New approaches are needed to invite people into loving communities of faith, healing and hope, but these communities need healthy, humble, and holy leaders to bring them to life. Scotland, like many places in the world, desperately needs a new generation of leaders for new kinds of churches. Frankly, we believe that these are needed everywhere.

For the past two years we have been a part of the leadership team developing, planning and initiating a program called Launch – a 10-month intensive training based in Scotland. Our first training cohort graduated in November 2024 and a new cohort begins September 2025. While the first participants in Launch have come from various places throughout Scotland, one of our tasks will be to bring international participants (including Americans) to experience Launch so that we can train and equip leaders from all over the world.

Up to now, we have participated part-time and remotely, but we feel God has called us to move permanently to Scotland to support Launch and live a life of faith in a country that doesn’t know what that looks like.