“I don’t really like retirement parties, because I don’t want this to be about me. My desire is to bring glory to God,” expressed John Wineman at a recent retirement party. Bringing glory to God is what he has done in his 12 years of faithful service with SonSet Solutions.
John and his wife, Carol Ann, were saved at age 30, and it was always their desire to serve God. They considered ministering in India, but their pastor cautioned against it. It would take years to learn the language and a lifetime to learn the culture. “Look for a position that will leverage the skills you have,” he advised.
John’s expertise was in problem solving, team coordination, mentoring, and teaching, skills he gained through his work with two technical powerhouses: Hewlett Packard and Lockheed Martin. John heard that SonSet Solutions seeks to provide technology-based solutions to advance the gospel worldwide. This was the perfect marriage of technology and ministry that he was longing for. Retiring from Hewlett Packard in 2005, John and his wife moved the following year to Elkhart, Indiana, to begin their work at SonSet Solutions.
“The Lord used all my background to train me for what he wanted me to do here,” John explains. While John took the lead on several important design projects, he found the most satisfaction in investing in young technologists through SonSet Solutions spring break and summer internship programs. One former intern reports, “John poured his knowledge into me while always pointing me to Christ. He had a joy that demonstrated his Christian life was real.”
Looking back on his time of service John reflects, “Through my experience, I hope others will understand what a wonderful opportunity for ministry is before us and how it is never too late for the Lord to use you for his glory.”
Written by Marla Bender