Growing up in neighboring towns, Zach and Layni met in high school and developed a great friendship over the next six years before getting married in December of 2018. In college, they spent much of their time at their Catholic student center, which was for both of them a pool of spiritual nourishment, authentic friendships, life-changing experiences, and immeasurable growth. During that time, God placed on their hearts a love for missions and serving the poor.

Like many others, upon graduating, Zach and Layni began their careers (he as a Medical Office Assistant and she as an Elementary School Teacher). Very early in their marriage, they felt God inviting them to consider joining Family Missions Company; however, a mixture of fears and excuses kept them from pursuing this call. As time passed, this invitation to consider FMC grew stronger, and their careers continuously left them feeling unfulfilled.

In 2020, just one month into the COVID-19 lockdown, they welcomed their first child, Eleanor, into their family. With churches shut down and ministries halted, Zach and Layni felt stronger than ever a desire for community, evangelization, and spiritual nourishment. After months of desperately searching, God lit a fire under them to lead their own Bible study groups out of their home. In 2022, Zach and Layni welcomed their second child, James-Francis. At this time, Zach was teaching and coaching at a wonderful local Catholic school, and Layni was working part-time as co-director of religious education for their church and as the owner of her own cookie business while home with their kids.

Still feeling dissatisfied, they began asking God what He wanted them to do. A 54-day novena with five specific intentions led ultimately to their decision to finally let the Lord speak in their lives. Every day, God was so persistently inviting them to consider Family Missions Company that they couldn’t ignore it any longer. The moment they began considering it, God flooded them with His overwhelming peace, and it was very clear to them that this was His will for their family.

They are incredibly humbled that God has called them to live the Gospel in such a radical way. Zach and Layni have decided to give up everything they have, quit their jobs, sell their possessions, uproot their family, and follow wherever the Lord is calling them to go. They are so excited to live and share the Gospel message with others, walking hand-in-hand with the Lord to the ends of the earth.

“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” – Romans 10:13-15