Rich was born to missionary parents serving in Zambia. Growing up on the mission field, he witnessed the need for missionaries trained in maintenance and so went to Letourneau College to get that training before applying to SIM to return as a full-time missionary. Laurie grew up with a family and church that were very supportive of missionaries, often receiving missionaries at their home. Because of this interaction, the Lord laid it on her heart to become a missionary. Rich and Laurie first served in Zambia as singles in Luampa, where they met, in the areas of Finance and Maintenance. In 2007, they moved to Mongu to serve at Manna Bible College (now known as the Barotse Campus of the Evangelical Bible College), continuing their work in finance and maintenance. Within their first term in Mongu, God gave them a vision for starting a youth center to minister to the youth of Mongu. They purchased land in 2011, built the Mongu Youth Center, and began a youth ministry. In 2024 Rich and Laurie moved to the SIM Zambia head office in Lusaka utilizing their gifts, once again, to serve in the areas of Finance and Maintenance. They remain active in local church ministry, mentoring youth leaders. Their church in Lusaka conducts services in multiple local languages, and they are learning Nyanja to better connect with the community.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)