By Lisa Tanner

In a world where career paths can feel etched in stone, God delights in rewriting stories. At Missionary Acres—BMM’s southeast Missouri retirement haven for missionaries, pastors, and Christian workers—Ken Moon, Ron Hemsworth, Bryan Tanner, and Jared Raines discovered how their everyday “secular” skills were actually God’s blueprints for something eternal. Their journeys remind us that no resume is wasted in God’s hands.

Ken Moon—engineering the everyday

Ken’s dream of becoming an engineer sparked in seventh grade, drawn by the thrill of math and science—and, as a teen, the promise of big paychecks. Working through college while managing rentals, he sharpened his repair and problem-solving skills and graduated in 1985 as a chemical engineer. But his family’s needs interrupted his job search.

That’s where Baptist Mid-Missions came in. They hired Ken to help remodel their headquarters, and that’s when he was introduced to Missionary Acres. By 1986, he surrendered with an “anywhere, Lord,” shifting his skills from lab work to home repairs. Over the past 34 years, he’s brought affordable solutions to everything from leading volunteer teams to complete remodels.

“Engineers solve problems,” Ken says, and that’s precisely what he and his wife, Lynne, have done, rallying co-workers and volunteers to tackle the day-to-day operations at the Acres. Their enduring contributions have woven reliability into the Acres’ ongoing tapestry.

Ron Hemsworth—pastoral roots to advance the ministry

Ron’s path blended pastoral pulpits and practical trades. Ordained in 1988, he pastored for 26 years honing his preaching, administration, and compassion while gaining hands-on skills in roofing, remodeling, rental maintenance, police chaplaincy, and EMS. It all felt random until a 2013 church trip to Missionary Acres revealed a divine pattern.

Amazed by God’s provision for retired workers yet struck by the ministry’s ongoing needs, Ron prayed for staff with ministry experience and relational networks. Very quickly, that prayer turned inward: 

What if God was calling them? Ron and and his wife, Joy, began deputation in 2015 and arrived at the Acres in 2019.

Ron’s pastoral gifts ministered to residents’ hearts, while his practical skills mended roofs and homes. After serving on-site until a health problem in 2024, the Hemsworths now advance the ministry from Iowa, forging church partnerships that draw new staff, volunteers, and donors. “When God closes one door, He often opens another,” Ron reflects, using his relational savvy to sustain the Acres’ legacy.

Bryan Tanner—wired for faithful service

Bryan’s professional career began with a post-9/11 Navy enlistment as an aviation electrician, where he built his wiring know-how.

Then came a business degree and stints in quick lube shops, telecom, and auto service, each a stop on God’s scenic route. When Ron spoke at Bryan’s home church in 2016, the pieces suddenly clicked: This ministry needed his mosaic of talents.

After surrendering to God’s call and arriving at Missionary Acres in 2021 with his wife, Lisa, and their family, Bryan now serves as the director. He’s streamlined finances, wired homes, automated reporting with macros, and served residents with Navy-forged discipline. “It all makes sense,” he says with wonder, his random jobs finally weaving into a purposeful mission.

Jared Raines—HVAC skills for the Acres

Fresh off deputation, newcomer Jared Raines arrived in 2025 with his wife, Jessica, and their two children. His HVAC expertise and organizational eye have propelled him to jump right into maintenance requests, property cleanups, and forward-thinking initiatives, ensuring Missionary Acres is still here for tomorrow’s retired servants.

Even with such different backstories, these men prove one thing: God loves turning every skill into kingdom gold. They weren’t just biding time; all along He was sovereignly shaping their skills for this very soil.