Ministry Focus
Louis was appointed with Missions Door in 2012 as the Dean of Education for CB Matrix, a distance-learning program to train lay church leaders and planters. The ultimate purpose of CB Matrix is to provide both biblical and practical training to establish churches built upon personal evangelism, discipleship, and shepherding within communities that are unreached or minimally reached by the traditional American church. The program, which is entirely free, consists of a two-year continuum to help individuals enrich their church leadership skills, become church planters, or become members of a church-planting team. CB Matrix connects instructors from around the country with local trainer/mentors who culturally and linguistically meet the needs of the participants. Louis’ 40 years of experience in Christian education has equipped him to assume the challenges of putting together and overseeing this program that rapidly sends harvesters into the harvest fields of this generation, as well as reaching various cultures within the U.S. and around the world.
Faith Story
Louis and Ruth Ann were brought up in Christian homes, and both accepted Christ as their Savior and were baptized while still in elementary school. They were active in church, Sunday school, and youth groups while growing up. In his junior high and high school years, Louis’ family was involved in a church plant ministry in rural Ohio where his father was a lay elder.
Louis and Ruth Ann attended Bob Jones University and there felt the ministry call into Christian education where they could openly share their faith with their students. Louis felt God’s hand of direction in school administration and attended Grace Theological Seminary, receiving his MA in Christian School Administration in 1978. In 1982, Louis was ordained to the Gospel ministry.
Over the years, Louis has had the privilege of seeing many of his former students respond to God’s call to ministry in their own lives as church leaders, pastors and missionaries.
Ruth Ann received an MA in Library Information Science from San Jose State University and is well qualified to assist CB Matrix through research support, curriculum development and registrar.
Education
Louis: M.A. in Christian School Administration from Grace Theological Seminary
Ruth Ann: M.A. in Library Information Science from San Jose State University
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Louis and Ruth Ann by making a financial donation using a Credit Card or by Direct Debit (ACH).
Learn more about where this ministry happens
In colorful communities and along scenic highways, diverse people and landscapes span coast to coast
Iconic American traditions include Thanksgiving dinner, jazz music and the Super Bowl. They meld with eclectic examples of multicultural heritage: numerous local Chinatowns, family-owned taquerias and even cowboy boots, which originated among the nomadic Huns of eastern Europe.
The nation's landscape shows just as many contrasts — sandy beaches and rocky coastlines, open plains and vast deserts, rugged mountains and winding canyons, and abundant rivers and lakes.
The ideals of life and liberty that founded the United States have made the country one of the world's most prosperous, though not without dark chapters and present troubles. Crime, discrimination and ethics violations make regular headlines, and many people live below the national poverty level.
Families view education as essential to the pursuit of happiness, if not also a path to wealth and power for the most ambitious. Yet Americans also demonstrate a charitable spirit of generosity toward neighbors and nations in need.
Freedom of religion grants opportunity for all faiths, but Christianity holds particular influence in country's history and daily life.
Your participation with Missions Door supports ministry in the United States among college students, including many international students, in collaboration local churches. It also enables social outreach, church planting and leadership development in a wide variety of communities — among Native Americans and other cultural groups, and in urban and suburban settings where growing and changing demographics create new opportunities for the Gospel.
Cultural Snapshot
Aside from the Native American, Native Hawaiian and Native Alaskan populations, nearly all Americans and their ancestors immigrated to the United States.
Faith Fact
In a 2013 survey, 56% of Americans said that religion played a "very important role in their lives” — a larger number than any other wealthy nation.
Country Profile
Population: 320 million
Major Religions: 47% Protestant, 23% unaffiliated, 21% Catholic, 6% other
Languages: 82% English, 11% Spanish, various others
Literacy: 99%
Poverty: 16%
Ministry service area:
Harvest America
Ministry location:
California, United States