About Jack

About Jack

Early Life & Ministry Background

Jack spent his early years as a missionary kid in Ecuador where his parents took up the call to replace five martyred missionaries. He enjoyed his later teen years in a mission-minded church in Vancouver and after marrying Gayle relished eighteen years working with missionary kids in Kenya, Africa. Up until the end of 2023, he pastored in a Vancouver church that welcomed over 60 different nationalities into a multi-cultural mosaic.

Education & Professional Training

Jack completed his Bachelor and Masters of Theology, A Masters of Counselling and Human Resource Development, a Masters in Leadership, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in counselling. He has used his training in the founding or co-founding of at least nine significant ministries, non-profits, or organizations.

Vocational Roles & Leadership

Jack has engaged his world as a missionary kid, friend, husband, parent, teacher, coach, dorm parent, counselor, pastor, chaplain, writer and organizational entrepreneur. Jack uses his love for words and people through speaking at conferences and events. He continues to serve on the national board for the Africa Inland Mission, on the board for New Hope, and on the executive of the Ridge-Meadows Ministerial.

Publications & Awards

A number of Jack’s published works were awarded as finalists by the Word Guild of Canada. The Cross Maker won the 2020 prize for historical fiction, and the Prince of Persia won the 2021 prize for Best Canadian Manuscript. His first trilogy (One Last Wave, No Place to Run, Stretching for Home) is a contemporary romance and murder mystery. His second trilogy (The Cross Maker, The Cross Maker’s Guardian, The Cross Maker’s Champion) features historical fiction during biblical times. His third trilogy (Salome – The Good Sister, The Good Wife, The Good Aunt) focuses on the sister of Jesus’s mother). The fourth trilogy (The Prince of Persia, The Prince of Persian and the Han Princess, Prince of Persia – Turning West) is the conclusion of the Cross Maker’s Champion). There are numerous other offerings – some under Jack’s pseudonyms. Jack has written many unpublished children’s stories for his grandchildren and also has several fiction and non-fiction books ready for publication.

Writing Credentials & Affiliations

Jack writes as a Master with Faithwriters and has over 50 editor’s choice awards with stories then published in anthologies. Jack is an established writer for Light Magazine on a monthly basis and publishes blogs and Faith Now contributions. He was given the Harvey Mackay Award for Journalism in 2019 by the Word Guild Canada. He is an active member of the Surrey Writer’s Guild.

Current Role & Personal Interests

As part of Jack’s retirement journey, he is working as the academic coordinator between Trinity Western University and Kurumbuka Leadership Solutions, where students are being trained in academic writing toward their Masters In Leadership degree. Jack is an avid reader and has an extensive personal library. He also enjoys raising tropical fish.