John grew up as an only child in a separated home. Although he was baptized in the Lutheran Church at an early age, his faith never progressed beyond book knowledge. In 1954, John attended Bethany High School in Minnesota for his sophomore year, taking a train to Mankato with just a trunk of clothes and supplies. This move marked the true beginning of his journey as God worked through John and those around him, leading him to meet his future wife, Karen, and igniting his passion for architectural drafting.

With a restless and yearning spirit, John traveled across the country, working a wide variety of jobs, including architectural draftsman, vocational teacher, and furniture sales manager. Throughout these years, he and his wife attended churches and joined Bible studies, where John deepened his relationship with Christ. In 1992, John made ...