Originally from Canada, Dale has served with the ministry of Torchbearers International for over 30 years.  He and his wife first spent several years on staff in Texas at His Hill before moving to New Zealand in 2003 to pioneer and lead the Capernwray Bible School there on the South Island until 2014.  Dale continues to teach as a guest teacher at several of the Torchbearer Bible Schools and is also a self-employed residential Builder in NZ.

Dale is the Founder and Director of Jumpstart – a growing camp ministry aimed for home-educated teens - which began in 2010 in New Zealand.  Dale and his wife have 2 adult children.

History

The Jumpstart program was conceived in New Zealand over the Christmas break in 2009 during a discussion by two home educating parents who had recognized a void for a youth program that was intentional in its Christ-life focus instead of on entertainment only. Their basic desire was that this program included solid Bible teaching which would reinforce what was already being taught in their Christian homes, balanced with fun and fellowship with peers – i.e. a wholesome environment outside their home for their teenagers to be challenged mentally, develop relationally, and grow spiritually as they go through adolescence.

A few months later, the first Jumpstart camp was held in June 2010 on the South Island of New Zealand.  As Jumpstart began to grow in numbers and popularity within the NZ homeschool movement, Jumpstart planted its first camp on the North Island in 2016.  Over the last 15 years, Jumpstart has established itself as a trusted annual camp that is anticipated by Christian home-educating families and is considered a highlight in their year!

In September 2024 Jumpstart will be expanding to Australia with the possibility of planting more regional camps there as well!