“BIZ”
Author. Adventurer. Advocate.
BIZ'S BIO
In 2005, Biz decided safety was overrated. Realizing there is nowhere on earth beyond the reach of God's love, he became what some have labeled a "real-life Indiana Jones" or an extreme “missionary," traveling to some of the world's most dark, dangerous, and despised places. He has ventured to conflict zones in Africa, into illegal brothels in Asia, to Central American prisons, and down tributaries in the Amazon. The journey has not always been easy, but Biz has witnessed God's light break through the darkness again and again. His endeavors have sparked new churches and launched new ministries. He is the author of DANGEROUS, an ordained minister, a graduate of Bethel University, and a former pastor. He lives in the sticks of Nebraska, along with his wife, and their four children.
Speaker and Mobilizer
Biz is a mobilizer at heart, he strives to awaken followers of Christ to engage hard and difficult places. Biz connects and challenges audiences through creativity, humor, urgency, and stories of mission-driven adventure. Biz has spoken at college campuses, music festivals, missions conferences, churches, retreats, Promise Keepers Canada, and men's events across the United States and Canada.
Founder of Unusual Soldiers
Biz is the founder of Unusual Soldiers. He equips students how to engage the world's toughest places through outdoor scenario-based "bootcamps", adventure programs, and thru classroom training sessions. His training is often outside-the-box and many of his lessons (and handbooks) are visual, simple, memorable, and reproducible.
Author
Biz is the author of Dangerous. A book that not only shares some of his exploits, but also aims to mobilize aspiring Unusual Soldiers to engage dark, dangerous, and despised places worldwide. Biz’s book is available at bookstores everywhere.
FAST FACTS ABOUT BIZ
Biz was a pastor for eight years and an itinerant speaker for 20+ years. He traveled with Promise Keepers Canada for two years and spoke a variety of venues across the USA.
Biz has ministered on every inhabited continent.
Biz married his first girlfriend. She doesn't travel with him, but she fully backs his ministry and endeavors.
Biz emptied his bank account and went on a solo trip to remote Maasai tribes in 2005. The courageous spirit of the Maasai redefined his life, his ministry, and awakened a global vision. The Unusual Soldiers logo now carries the image of a Maasai boy in a dangerous place.
Biz was trained in survival by Bear Grylls and former British Commandos in the Scottish Highlands. He was later trained by BGSA to be a Survival Instructor in Nevada's Valley of Fire.
Biz comes alive on dirtbikes and boards.
Biz has literally eaten monkey brains and drank his own...(you fill in the blank).
Biz is a certified Wilderness First Responder with NOLS and was trained in Risk/Crises Management by CCI and Concilium.
Biz was awarded Alumnus of the Year by his Alma mater ( Bethel University)in 2017.
Biz has been interviewed on multiple radio and TV programs. (700 Club interactive, Moody Bible Radio, 100 Huntley Street - Canada, Harvest Show, Open House - Australia, etc)
Biz grew up working for his Dad on a farm and both of his parents were his church youth leaders. As a result, his faith took root at an early age.
Biz takes each of his kids on rugged spiritual adventures when they turned 5, 10, and 15.
Biz has searched for a hidden treasure, but unlike Indiana Jones, he came up empty-handed.