After serving his country in the Marine Crops, student services teacher James Andersen found his passion in missionary work.

"My time in the Marine Corps instilled the necessity for me to touch other people’s lives," said Mr. Andersen, who was stationed in Japan from 1991-1995. "Spending time in countries like Guam, South Korea, and the Philippines showed me that there is a whole world out there that the majority of people can truly not comprehend. This opportunity not only allowed me to serve my country, but being in that profession, I also had the opportunity to serve the land. My time in the Corps became very personal."

Not only has Mr. Andersen served for his country, he said he believes that every day his duty is to serve his faith life and God. It was after his time in the Marine Corps that Andersen decided to take part in missionary work.

"My faith life is the sole purpose of why I am a missionary," said Mr. Andersen, who is a resource teacher for freshman English students, co-teaches in the history department, and also teaches a transitions class. "I share the love of God with others, and my faith grows as well."

Mr. Andersen has spent time on missionary trips in Kenya, Kentucky, and Tennessee. His trips consist of bringing various team and village members gifts, teaching women how to sew, and sharing the gospel through youth ministry.

"After one trip (to Kenya), the village decided to build a church," Mr. Andersen said. "It was very exciting to know that our efforts paid off. I truly believe that we need to show these people how to fish and not just give them fish. That is what being a missionary is about."

He said he believes his work in other countries makes him a better teacher.

"Every since I was very little, I knew I wanted to work with kids," Mr. Andersen said. "Being a teacher allows me to make a difference in their lives, and it is great because my missionary work allows me to see all the gifts that every student has."

The work of Mr. Andersen is not only out of the country; recently, he had the opportunity of visiting the county jail twice a week to talk with inmates.

"I was actually able to minister to a few of my former students by visiting the jail," Mr. Andersen said. "It allowed them to see me out of a school setting, and I hope it showed them that I really do care."

The belief that an experience is much more powerful than a theory is a strong view that Mr. Andersen lives by.  He will continue this belief with future missionary work and is actually planning to travel to Papua New Guinea this August for another missionary trip.

"There are a lot of unknowns about this trip," Mr. Andersen said. "However, that is the exciting part. This country has over 800 different languages, so I am looking forward to spreading God’s word. This is something I felt called to do, and I think God is instilling in me an imparting wisdom and gifts that will bear fruit in the coming years."