Zach grew up with Christianity around him as a child. He attended and even served in the church, but left to see what the world had to offer in his late teens. The party lifestyle and drugs had ahold of his life for the next 20 years. He was married to Gretchen and they had three children.
At forty years old, he started having a few health problems and went for testing. It was during this time that the Lord intervened to show His powerful love and Zach asked for God’s forgiveness. He stopped all drugs and his lifestyle was turned around with the strength that he had found in his new relationship with God. He read the Bible, studied, listened to sermons, learned from others, prayed, and was discipled by other strong Christians.
Yearning to share this wonderful freedom from sin, an evangelist’s heart was born. He began to shout it from the roof tops that Jesus Christ is Lord and showed it by teaching children’s church, visiting nursing homes, hospitals and prisons, bussing people to church, praying for the sick, and providing food and other needs. He was not ashamed, and his boldness led someone to ask him to go to Haiti on a short one week trip. After 7 years of week-long work trips, he and Gretchen decided to sell all they had and move there full-time.
With faith and determination, they moved to Titanyen, Haiti and worked there for three and a half years under a missionary couple. Shortly after their arrival, an embargo was placed on Haiti restricting food and goods from entering the country to try to force a government change. Zach distributed supplies to feed 1400 children daily in many hard to reach areas, delivering by tractor and wagon. He also drilled wells, did mission property maintenance, assisted and the conference center, showed the Jesus Film, and preached in churches and crusades. Gretchen, a nurse, ran a clinic, cared for burn patients, focused on health education, improved the hygiene and functioning of the feeding center, aided the elderly, and help wherever needed. Their love for the Haitian people flowed from the well of gratitude they had for the way God was gracious to them and showed His forgiveness and love to Zach and Gretchen. These early days in Haiti taught them to fully trust in God for his protection and provision. They developed a great love for “the mountain people” – those living in remote places – and did all they could to tell them the Gospel story and share the love of Christ.
In 1998, they began working in Cazale, Haiti at the request of the Haitian health department in the local clinic. Zach closely supported his wife, Gretchen, and their daughters by providing transportation and obtaining supplies. This medical clinic soon grew to include caring for inpatient children with malnutrition. Zach continued to preach at churches and crusades boldly proclaiming the salvation message and distributing Bibles and Christian literature that enabled many to grow in Christ. As the director of Real Hope For Haiti, he handled many administration issues and provided leadership to over 100 employees. Connections were made with many other organizations and governments to obtain supplies and medications for the work. It was often an hour or two drive 3-4 times a week to run errands and purchase items needed to care for around 800 people that came through the clinic each week. During their trips to the US, they spoke in churches and gathered supplies that they packed and shipped down on containers.
Unfortunately, Gretchen passed away suddenly in 2005. God saw fit to bring another helper alongside Zach, and he and Lorraine were married in August of 2012. Lorraine’s daughter Emily lives in Minnesota, where she works as a nurse. Lorraine has experience in the non-profit sector and has been a blessing to RHFH. She helped with fundraising, development, and coordinated shipping of donated supplies to Haiti. In 2017, Zach and Lorraine moved back to the US because of Zach’s health issues. Lorraine faithfully and lovingly cared for Zach during his illness of Parkinson’s and Lewy Body dementia until his death in November 2021.
Living in Haiti is difficult and yet Zach stayed positive, led the mission through many natural disasters, navigated through political corruption and instability, and always planned ahead to make sure there was no lack of supplies. Willing to give his life for Lord, he consistently displayed courage and fortitude when others would have left and sought an easier life. He was determined to complete the work that he felt God had called him to do. His commitment to working for the Lord’s kingdom has inspired Americans and Haitians alike to reflect on their own relationship with God and their service for Him. The impact of Zach’s work in Haiti will be felt for generations as access to medical care has greatly improved the quality and length of life for thousands in the surrounding area. His legacy will be one that will remind us of the power and passion of God’s grace and love for everyone.