Meet the Freshwaters
Personal Profile - John Freshwater (PDF)
John Freshwater
BIRTHDATE: June 22, 1956
HOMETOWN: Dover, OH
MARRIED: Nancy on December 20, 1980
CHILDREN: Luke (8-2-87), Sarah (7-30-89), Jordan (6-4-93)
EDUCATION
Bachelor Degree in Education, Ohio University
Associate Degree in Recreation & Wild Life, Hocking Tech. College
US Park Ranger Training
US Forest Service Smoke Jumper Training in Redmond, OR
TEACHING EMPLOYMENT
Science Teacher at Mount Vernon Middle School, 1987 to Present. Received the Distinguished Service Award for the 2006-2007 school year.
Science Teacher, Ashton, Idaho, 1984-1987
OTHER EMPLOYMENT
Park Ranger at Salt Fork State Park in Ohio, Everglades Park Service in Florida, Smoke Jumper-Fire Fighter with the US Forest Service in McCall, Idaho. Worked at an institution dealing with troubled young people.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Head high school wrestling coach and assistant high school football coach in Idaho.
Mount Vernon assistant coach in football and wrestling.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Cross Club Advisor at Mt. Vernon Middle School for approximately 17 years.
Nancy Freshwater
EDUCATION
Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Bowling Green
EMPLOYMENT
She has held several positions in the social services & Rehabilitation Therapy field. Currently is the Center Director for Care Net Pregnancy Services in Mt. Vernon, OH. Care Net is a Christian based pregnancy center, helping women in unplanned pregnancies choose life.
MINISTRY AND COMMUNITY
CHURCH INVOLVEMENT
John and Nancy grew up attending church with their families. In 1984 they moved to Ashton, Idaho, and began attending a small non-denominational church. It was at this time that they fully committed their lives to Christ and were baptized in a river. They began to grow rapidly in their faith during this time. In 1987 they moved back to Ohio to be closer to their family. Soon after moving to Mt. Vernon they began searching for the right church home, eventually connecting at Trinity Assembly of God. They have been part of Trinity for more than eighteen years. They have been highly involved in many ministries in the church serving as teachers, members of the missions committee, and John has served as a Deacon for more than 10 years. Part of John’s portfolio as a Deacon is coordinating servant evangelism. He and Nancy have been active in planning and participating in many community outreaches and servant evangelism-leadership projects beyond the four walls of the local church.
MISSIONS
Since coming to Christ the Freshwaters have always had a heart for helping people around the world. They have given to support many missionaries and missions projects over the years. Their commitment to helping people has led them to travel outside the USA to share the love of Christ.
China
In 1995-1996 John took a one year leave of absence from teaching at the Mount Vernon Middle School to take their entire family to China. He taught English at the Chinese University. These people fell in love with the Freshwater family, especially the children. They were involved in leading many of their Chinese students to Christ and even baptized new believers in their bathtub.
Congo
In December 1998 John went with a group of men from Trinity Assembly of God to Congo. They built 2 church buildings and strengthen the faith of people in a very impoverished part of the world. To do this they had to be away from their family during the holiday season.
Romania
In 2000 John and his son, Luke, went to Romania to volunteer in an orphanage. This trip was coordinated by a graduate of the MVNU who had attended Trinity Assembly of God during her years as a student here.
Honduras
In 2002 John went with a group from the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church to do a construction project.
The 2007 GREATER KNOX COUNTY WILL GRAHAM CELEBRATION
John served as the Student Ministries Director. He worked with the BGEA staff and the area youth pastors/leaders for more than 10 months leading up to and following the Celebration.
THE KNOX COUNTY CHRISTIAN MEN’S GROUP
Following the Will Graham Celebration John helped form an inter-church men’s ministry that currently meets every other Tuesday evening at the Salvation Army.
THE FRESHWATER CHILDREN
Luke graduated from Mt. Vernon High School and attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for one year. He has decided to pursue a career as a Physicians Assistant and will attend Cedarville University in the fall while still participating in an Army ROTC program.
Sarah just graduated from Mt. Vernon High School this June. She will be attending the U.S. Naval academy in Maryland and will be a member of their swim team.
Jordan just finished her eighth grade year at Mt. Vernon Middle School where she is active in various sports and her youth group at church.