Butch's Testimony and Ministry Profile

I was saved at the age of eight and raised in a Christian home by godly parents. Growing up in church, where my father served as pastor, gave me a strong foundation in faith and ministry. After graduating from high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Army, completing boot camp and advanced training as a Power Generation Equipment Repairman. I served a tour in Korea before returning home to Ohio, where I married Lesi. Together, we moved to Fort Hood, Texas, to complete my active duty service. During that time, our son Casey was born.

After leaving active duty, we returned to Ohio, and I enrolled at the University of Akron, earning a degree in Elementary Education with minors in Math and Computer Science. While studying, I continued my military career with the Ohio Army National Guard, qualified for Officer Candidate School, and graduated as an Ordnance Officer. At the same time, I worked full-time as Director of Information Technology for a telecommunications distribution company in Wadsworth, Ohio. God blessed our family with two daughters, Colbie and Caitlyn, during this busy season of life.

We attended Bethel Baptist Church in Savannah, Ohio, under the leadership of Pastor John Bouquet, who became a spiritual mentor and accountability partner for over ten years. Lesi and I served in various ministries, including teaching adult and youth Sunday School, leading worship, working with youth, serving as a deacon, and participating in nursing home outreach. During this time, I also volunteered as a firefighter and worked part-time as an EMT. Life was full, and I learned firsthand the truth of the saying: “If the devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” Through it all, God kept us focused and began calling us to a lifetime of ministry.

In 2000, we took our first short-term mission trip to Nigeria, which God used to confirm His direction for our lives. In 2003, we joined Word of Life full-time, where I was asked to lead the Nehemiah Network and oversee Short-Term Mission Work and Health Care Trips. Because of my technical background, I also served as Director of Information Technology Services. When we began, Word of Life sponsored only a few trips each year. By God’s grace, the ministry grew to 15-20+ trips annually, including international health care teams, work teams, and ministry teams for students, adults, and families.

Over the years, I have been on more than 80 trips to many countires, and through these experiences, God has placed a deep burden—and ultimately a calling—on our hearts for Brazil and its remote river communities. These communities are unreached and will not hear the Gospel unless someone goes to tell them. Our love for these precious people has grown with every trip, and we are excited to be part of the ministry team reaching them with the hope of Jesus Christ.

In 2012, God began to redirect our calling and ministry focus, leading us to Brazil to serve remote river communities in the tributaries of the Amazon River. It was an amazing season of ministry and growth as we saw God’s love reach some of the most isolated places on earth.

Then, in 2019, God opened a new and unique door with MissionGO. Because of our love and long history with Word of Life, it was not an easy decision to make this transition. In fact, we initially closed the door with MissionGO out of our deep connection to Word of Life. Yet, after many months of prayer, seeking the counsel of godly people, and watching God open this door again and again, we became convinced of His clear direction.

MissionGO serves in over 55 countries with hundreds of missionaries around the world, focusing on church planting, discipleship, and evangelism. Interestingly, 2019 also marked MissionGO’s 75th anniversary of international mission work.

Our prayer and desire are simple: to be exactly where God wants us to be, doing what He wants us to do, for the sake of the Gospel. We are confident that this focus with MissionGO allows us to have the greatest impact for Christ, both locally and globally, mobilizing.

We are seeking ministry partners and asking you to prayerfully consider joining us in this mission—whether through faithful prayer, financial support, or by sharing this vision with others. Every gift and every prayer helps us take the Gospel to those who have never heard. Together, we can make an eternal impact in the lives of people who desperately need the hope of Jesus. Thank you for considering how God might use you to partner with us in this great work. 

You can visit our partnership page at: 👉 www.missiongo.org/jarrell

From this page, you may give by Credit Card, EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer), or by printing a mail-in support slip. We encourage EFT giving when possible, as it saves the ministry credit card transaction fees and helps automate the process. However, we are truly grateful for your partnership in whatever way is most convenient for you.

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support as we continue serving the Lord through MissionGO. We are honored to partner with you in reaching the world with the Gospel.