AARON'S BIO
Aaron was born July 31, 1975 and grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan in a Christian home. His parents are Paul and Jann Vander Mey. He accepted Christ as his Savior when he was 6, after hearing a sermon about Hell. He rebelled in his teenage years, but then rededicated his life to Christ when he was 22. He then moved to Kansas City, and attended Calvary Bible College. He began attending Open Door Bible Church in Belton, MO and was very involved with the youth ministry there.
Aaron went on a missions trip to Brazil and realized he loved missions, and decided to change his major at Calvary, to Missions and Youth. Aaron graduated in May 2005. He has worked at Wal-Mart for 8 years, and just started a new security/assets protection job there. Aaron loves to evangelize and disciple new believers. He loves soccer, Star Trek, and pizza.
ELISABETH'S BIO
Elisabeth was born July 2, 1984 and grew up in Sacramento, California in a Christian home, also. Her parents are Jack and Anna Ryan. When she was about 3 or 4, her Mom told her about Jesus and how he came to die for her sins, and she prayed to be saved, but didn't really understand it. When she was 11, she told her dad that she was having doubts about her salvation, and he told her to once and for all make sure she was saved. So, Elisabeth went into her room and prayed to accept Jesus as her Savior.
In Junior high, Elisabeth knew that she would love to be a missionary, after hearing a speaker at her church's missions conference. After high school, she attended Calvary Bible College and graduated in 2007 with an Elementary Education degree. Elisabeth loves dark chocolate, reading, old movies, Star Trek, and designing things.
HOW THEY MET:
Aaron and Elisabeth knew each other from church, but really started hanging out at Calvary, in January 2004, at a winter social. They were put on the same laser tag team, and hung out with each other all night. They started dating a month later, and were married December 20, 2004. Their love for missions was one thing that God used to bring them together.
On May 27, 2006, their daughter Carli was born. She is a sweet little girl, and such a blessing from the Lord!
CALL TO MINISTRY
In 2007, Aaron and Elisabeth prayed about joining with Biblical Ministries Worldwide as missionaries. After many prayers and the godly counsel of many people, they decided to join BMW with the goal of planting churches in New Zealand. They were accepted, as missionary appointees, in January 2008.
WHY NEW ZEALAND?
In April 2007, Aaron, Elisabeth and Carli visited BMW's headquarters in Lawrenceville, GA. While there, they read a newsetter called "Needs N' Opps'" and there was something in it about New Zealand.
Aaron used to be involved with drugs, and the newsletter said there was a need for people to help others out of their drug abuse in NZ. Aaron and Elisabeth thought maybe God was pointing in that direction, but weren't really sure.
After returning to Kansas City, Dr. Chipchase, president of Calvary Bible College, said he could see Aaron and Elisabeth serving in New Zealand.
Aaron and Elisabeth started to read books and watch videos about NZ from the library. Then at BMW's candidate orientation in January 2008, Paul Seger, BMW's general director, encouraged them to pursue New Zealand as their place of ministry.
Aaron and Elisabeth are planning a trip to New Zealand soon (September 2008) to see what church planting team they will best fit on. Aaron has been in contact with the field leader in New Zealand, and he can't wait to meet the Vander Meys, and hopes they will be an asset to one of their teams.