Paul is a fire captain and paramedic with Salem Fire Department; and during his 21 years with the department, he spent 5 years as a paramedic on the Salem Police SWAT Team. He grew up as a preacher's kid and moved every few years. As a teenager, he lost his father in a car accident. During this difficult time, he met his future wife, Diane, and they were married after Paul finished college. They home schooled their three children, who are all now grown and beginning their own journeys. Paul teaches a family Sunday School class and speaks often at adult and youth events. Paul and Diane currently make their home in a rural area south of Dallas, Oregon.