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The Roose Family.

Back, L-R: Christylee, Elliott, David (Me), Front, L-R: Olivia, Isaac and Oliver

Hello and welcome to my Work and Witness web page. My name is David Roose and this is my story of how I ended up in Jamaica doing Work and Witness through the Church of the Nazarene. I currently reside in Hubbard, Ohio with my wife and 4 children. Our family attends the Hubbard Church of the Nazarene, were we have been serving and worshiping God since the fall of 1995. The photo below is the 2013 work and witness team the night we left for our third trip to Jamaica. I have been our church's acting work and witness coordinator and team leader since our first trip to Jamaica in November 2008. It has been an absolute joy to be used by God in this capacity. I look forward to serve through work and witness, in Jamaica or wherever God leads, as long as I know God has called.

Back Row, L-R: Joe Thompson, Steven Thompson, James Chaney, Pastor Mike Byus, David Roose, Elliott Roose (Missing: Rick Carnahan)

Front Row, L-R: Kevin & Darlinda McDonald, Katie Krusey, Jim Jenkins, Alyssa Agler, James Thompson, Isaac Roose, Debbie & Butch Sackett.

Isn't it great to know that God never gives up on us? Now in my Late 40's, I can look back and see the times God was working in my life, protecting me, developing me and directing me towards His plan for my life. The journey has been much longer then it needed to be do to my selfish will and bad choices. Nonetheless, God has been faithful and patient, yet persistent, in His desire to see me come full circle.

I can remember as a young boy in the Hubbard Evangelical Congregational Church how God would use older teens, pastors and missionaries, to tug on my heart. My parents would often open our home for missionaries to stay while speaking at the church. I was always intrigued by the idea of being a missionary. I remember the day I heard a  young girl in our church, Amy Stringer, decided to become a missionary (I believe she served in Cuba). I never talked to her about that, but I remember thinking that I might never see her again. Oh, the wild ideas that run though a young boys head. I was nervous for her, but excited at the same time, only imagining where God would take her and what He would show her. I was inspired by her choice to follow Jesus. 

As time went on I would again feel that missionary nudge from God. However, because of fear... fear of the unknown, fear of leaving home, fear of anything my mind could imagine, I never took that step. I would hear about kids that would go on short term mission trips, but I let fear stop me from ever making a trip. I didn't even like to go to summer church camp. It wasn't until I was sixteen that I went to camp. By that time I had missed out on so many opportunities to act on what I said I believed. I was involved in bible quizzing through our church. I knew God's word and I knew what it said. I memorized many verses and studied my quizzing material. There was even a year that I was top quizzer in the church district. I knew God's word, but I didn't know God. I had head knowledge, not an understanding heart. As Timothy 3:4b-5a says: "...conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness but denying its power." I found joy in knowing God's word, because I could use it to show people how much I knew. The problem was I knew what God said, but I didn't have a relationship with Him. 

From age 16 to 18 many things happened that directed me away from missions. First I started acting like a curious teenage boy. I was living one way whenever I was in church and another way the rest of the week. Good relationships were few and far between. I made choices that were opposite what God would desire. I was setting a horrible example as to what a Christian should be, impacting some of the teens in youth group for the negative. My parents made a decision they thought was necessary and left our church, but I stayed because of quizzing. Our pastor's wife, Marcia Koelln, was our quiz coach. The example she set, the way she talked, the way she lived, the way she unselfishly gave of her time, while putting up with our shenanigans, to teach us and to love on us, made a deep and lasting impression that I will never forget. Her words and lessons were things I would draw on to help me remember God's love when I felt so distant. Our church closed in 1988, 2 years after the Koelln's were relocated to a different church. This was the year I graduated form High School and needed to make college decisions. Being angry about the church and not feeling like my family really knew me, I was ready to get away. As a last resort, and because a good friend of mine was going there, I applied to The Ohio State University, and entered into the Architectural program.

Ahhh! Free at last, free from parents, free from the church, and free to make my own choices. Well, it didn't take me long to accept things I knew were wrong and really didn't believe in. Of course I would justify everything by telling myself, everybody is doing it, I'm not hurting anyone, and college is a time to try new things.. spread my wings. Soon I wasn't going to church, not reading a bible and never prayed unless I was in trouble and needed to make a deal with God... deals I never kept. I started feeling empty and looking for love in all the wrong places. By walking away from God, I had ripped a hole where He used to be. The emptiness caused me to try and fill that hole with anything that didn't make me hurt and feel lonely. I spent a lot of time working out trying to loss weight to feel more accepted. The parties at OSU are wild as described and partying was the thing to do, so I joined in the "fun" to be accepted by "friends". The motto was "Anything Goes" as long as your having fun. (Romans 1:30b-32 "..., they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them). I began to get out of control, to the point where partying landed me in the hospital to be treated for alcohol poisoning. The amazing thing was I didn't even know they had taken me by ambulance to the medical center. I didn't know anything was happening. One minute I was at a large home on 17th street having the "time of my life" with my "friends" and 8 hours later I am waking up in an ICU with a black lady in green garbs staring at me, asking if I was okay. Now, I have had some pretty crazy dreams, but this was surreal. Where am I ??? As I listened to the nurse explain the parts she knew, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I was shocked and felt shame. All I could think was "My mother can never find this out"... To make a long story short, my mom did find out and God gave me a serious wake up call !

Soon I realized I needed God in my life and I needed fellowship with other Christians. I remembered some families that use to counsel at summer camp. I made a call to Skip and Donna Holler who lived on the west side of Columbus. I didn't have a car at the time, but Skip offered to pick me up for Sunday service and bring me back to campus. This took a good hour out of his day, but he was willing to do it so I could renew my relationship with God and have fellowship with believers. His efforts reintroduced me to many old friends that were part of the Columbus EC Church. Skip spoke volumes to me without ever saying a word. He lived what he believed. He was (and is) an example of living the word in truth. Donna, Skip's wife, always had time to listen. She became a confidant and to this day a dear friend. There is a part of me today that is the way I am because of their influence, their example and their love for God. 

College was demanding, and even though I was reconnected with Church, I still struggled with who I was, and who I wanted to be. I still wasn't done with the bad choices. What I discovered about myself was that I was a very good pretender. It was easy for me to be one way with one group of people and a different way with another. I just wanted to fit in and be happy, however, living this way does nothing but create turmoil, doubt and heartache. I was double-minded. James 1:8 says: "Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."  Unstable is a good description. I was confused and a little out of control in my thinking. I now realize I was trying to fill the void I created when I didn't follow God or respond to His call to missions. I pressed on doing what I did best, determined to finish college, find a job and make some money. This will make me happy.... so I thought. I Graduated from O.S.U. in 1993 with a B.S. in Architecture.

As I searched for a job in Columbus, it was hard to find one. Many who graduate from O.S.U. try to stay in the area, making quality jobs few and far between. After 6 months of searching my dad called one day, saying there was an add for a job in Canfield, OH, 20 minutes from my home town of Hubbard. I interviewed and was offered the job. If I take this job, I would have to move home, something I said I would never do when I left. After much thought, I accepted job and moved back home. I was dating a girl from Warren, OH at that time, so I took that as a positive. Little did I know that God was positioning me to find new opportunity.

Not long after being home the relationship I was in ended. More heartbreak. I focused on work in the day and at night didn't do much. My mom asked me to come out to the church they were attending, a non-denominational church called Pleasant Valley.  I began attending the college and career program lead by Pastor Daniel Houck. Dan was a young man himself and was a people person that could connect with just about anyone. He welcomed me in, introduced me to the group and the healing began. I became friends with many of the group and many of them are close friends today. It was here I met my wife. When I started, she wasn't around much because it was summer and she spent many weekends singing places with her band. But I remember a specific Sunday morning I was in Sunday school. The previous week Dan had asked the group to write down what was most important to them and what they would look for in a spouse. Christylee was not present, but the week before (which I missed) she wrote a response. Dan went through the list and read them aloud. The last one he read was summarized something like: It is important to me to to know God, to seek him with all my heart and to serve him faithfully. I would want a spouse who will put God first and seek him wholeheartedly, and respect me, accept me and love me for who I am. After Dan finished reading the statements, he looked at me, not being shy about putting someone on the spot, and asked how I would answer that question. I thought for a moment, and not knowing anything about Christylee (what she looked like, her personality, age, etc.) other then what she wrote, I said my interests are the same as whoever wrote that statement and I would want my spouse have those qualities. There was some laughter and oohs and ahhs, mostly from people who were her good friends. In my mind I thought, this girl must be something special... the chase was on. There is a lot more to this story, but let me just say, when I first met her, my heart jumped. Our first date, Feb. 11, 1994, was a wonderful breakfast. 7 months later, September 11, 1994, I proposed to her in front of our entire church, thank God she said Yes! And 6 months after, March 11, 1995, we wed and together began our new life of adventure. Pastor Dan, who had become a great friend, ministered for our wedding. To this day we are still close to Dan and often laugh about details of the ceremony. I am inspired by Dan. I have shared many ups and downs with him, and have seen him stay true to his faith, stand steadfast against the Devils schemes, while remaining a man of true integrity. It's examples like Dan that impact the lives of others. I'm blessed by his friendship.

You might be asking how this all applies and what it has to do with Work and Witness. Simply it is my testimony. I would love to say I have always listen and obeyed God, and that I have walked with God my whole life and have proven myself faithful in all things. That would be a much better testimony. But that's not the way it is. Regardless, the point that's important is that even though I made mistakes, lost hope, took the wide path and was found unfaithful, GOD always remained faithful. 2 Timothy 2:13 says, "if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself." He never gave up on me and what he intended and planned for me. I have found great truth in Jeremiah 29:11 which states, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Because of my rebellion, the call I had to missions was no longer evident to me, but God had not forgotten. The move to the Hubbard Church of the Nazarene was the beginning of God reminding me of the call.

Pastor Frank Willoughby and his wife Susan were serving at the Hubbard church when we arrived. From 1995 through 2004 Christylee and I got involved with many programs. She worked with the youth, got involve in women's ministries, and started as worship leader, all while serving on the church board. I became involved in with men's ministries and served as director of Children's quizzing. During this time we were also blessed with our 3 boys, Elliott in 1999, Isaac in 2000 and Oliver in 2004. We got to engage with many different people and love our church. There was a group for girls in our youth that were tight. They loved God and sought to live lives pleasing to Him. Tragically one of the young girls (Jennifer Snyder, God rest her soul) was killed in a car accident, sending a wave of sadness and confusion through the group and the church. The enemy's attack cut deep and the church had to hang on tight. People responded in many different ways, some for the good and other not so good. But the response of her friends, and how they grew closer to Jesus was amazing. I learned a lot from them during that time simply by observing their actions. A young lady in the Group, Rachel Willoughby, began getting involved in short term missions. She would go away in the summer, returning with amazing stories of what God was doing. Another young man, Craig Carnahan, also took part in short term mission trips. Craig's stories and enthusiasm complimented

Rachel's and that passion for missions began to swell in my soul. As missionaries would visit, I was drawn in by the stories of what God was doing and how he revealed His power and Spirit. Pastor Frank and Susan were supporters of missions and even took short term trips to carry bibles into countries where they were forbidden. They lead by example and the stories of their trips echoed all the stories I have heard before. In 2004 the Willoughby's moved on from our church after 18 years to pursue ministry elsewhere. But I was encouraged by the passion that Frank, Susan and the 3 girls had as they sought after and served the Lord. 

The Lord was presenting me with example after example of what it looked like to say yes to His call. In 2005 Pastor W. Michael Byus (a.k.a. Pastor Mike) became Pastor of the Hubbard Church of the Nazarene, where he currently serves today. Mike was no different. His love and passion for serving God grabbed my attention. God has spoken through him many times to nudge my heart, but fear, some of the same things I feared as a teen, still held me back. I would make excuses about needing to be responsible to my family, that I couldn't afford to take off work or be away from home. What if something happened while I was away? The root of the real problem was that I was trusting myself to make things happen and not surrendering to the Lord. In 2006 Pastor Mike took a team to New Orleans to help clean up from Hurricane Katrina. I missed this trip, and honestly I don't know why. I knew it was happening, but it came and went... by focusing on fears and making excuses I blinded myself to a great opportunity to respond to God. As I listened to the details of the trip and how God spoke and worked through those who went, I could sense my own disappointment in my lack of effort. I told myself that day that I would not miss another opportunity.

Over the next few years, the Lord challenged me, shaped me and impressed upon me the truth of His word. God's word erases fear. Isaiah 12:2 says,

"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation." God's word builds courage. Acts 4:13 says, "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." God's word states promises that He will not break. Luke 18:29-30 states, “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” God taught me about surrender, He taught me humility, He increased my faith and showed me amazing grace. Because I was willing to listen, God was able to lead me. He also gave me a great brother in Christ and pastor, Mike Byus, who would help me sharpen my iron.

As 2007 closed out and we began 2008, there had been rumbling of another mission trip, but nothing was materializing. That's when I know God spoke to me and said "I want you to lead this trip." I said, "What was that?" "I want you to lead this trip." But God, I have never been on a mission trip let alone lead one. I felt like Moses bartering with God about sending him to Egypt. We didn't even have a destination, I've never been away from my wife and kids, and I didn't have a team. But as God said again "I want you to lead this trip", I was not afraid. I simply and quietly said "Yes Lord." I spoke to Pastor, we began to pray for direction, and God pointed us to the Caribbean. We searched the Nazarene Work and Witness project page and both agreed we were to minister in Jamaica. Soon we made contact with Rev. Lionel Brown, pastor of Burnt Savannah Church of the Nazarene (in Frome, Westmoreland, Jamaica) and District Superintendent of the Jamaica West District. As Lionel and I discussed the projects posted on the website, I told Him in didn't matter what we did, we wanted to help on what he needed most. The Gamertsfelder Medical Center was a huge project that was in the works. The center was named after Dr. Paul Gamertsfelder, founder of Work and Witness in the Church of the Nazarene. Dr. Paul is from Central Ohio, and a lot of Ohio teams have been working on this project. But we did not feel lead to choose this project (although we have done some work at the GMC and have provided some supplies for the Center), but instead Lionel told us about the District Center at Shiloh. It wasn't even posted on the website, but as Lionel described the project I knew that was the one. It wasn't even out of the ground, it was much needed for District function, and was work that I thought any size and type of team could do. So we agreed to take on the District Center at the Mt. Shiloh Church of the Nazarene in City of Whitmore, Westmoreland, Jamaica. The rest is history. I began planning this trip, gathering a team and preparing to depart in November of 2008, to take part and lead my very first Work and Witness Mission Trip.

From November 2008 to the present day, God has taking me on some amazing journeys. Along the way there have been some very high mountains (3 trips to Jamaica, new friends here and abroad, the birth of my daughter Olivia in 2009, seeing the boys accept God and be baptized, etc.) and some deep valleys (health Issues, life's hurdles, disappointment with choices of some family and friends, the death of my father, etc.). In life there will be absolute joy and shocking pain, some dark valleys and some breathtaking mountains, there are times when all we can do is trust God even when we don't understand. I have had times when things were so good I had to remember God and not forget what He has done. There have been times that seemed so bad, all I could do is kneel humbly before God and wait. It's times like these that I draw from the words of David in Psalm 23 when he said, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me”. But through all the good times and the times of suffering, God is constantly shaping and molding us and developing our Character. In Romans 5:3-5 it says, "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Many times we need to go though dark trials to find the sunshine. The 37th President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon once said, "Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.” So fear not and hold true to your faith in God. If you seek Him, you will find Him. He is waiting and has not given up on you.

Above are two photos from our 2013 trip. I decided to start this website after the 2013 trip to better present the results of our work. I have added things from the 2008 and 2011 trip as well, so you can read through my  journal and view photo's from all 3 trips. By doing so, I hope you will see how God has worked in my life and I hope you will come to know the passion I now have for Jamaica and its people, and for living a life dedicated to serving God. May God bless each of you. As you view the site please pray for direction and wisdom as God prepares us for our next trip.....

In Christ,

David

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31