On completing a four-year B.S. in Education with comprehensives
in Social Studies and Language Arts from Taylor Univ., Gene
taught Jr. High for two years in Richmond, IN. When Richmond
did not deliver on a promise for a High School position when
available, Gene realized the Lord was moving him on and he applied
for the Youth for Christ Y-2 experience in Brazil.
Almost simultaneously to this application Gene met Karen and
after a whirlwind courtship of nine months they went to Brazil
together for a 2 year assignment of camp development and lay
leadership training. The first of their three children was born
there. This began a twenty-five year career with Youth for Christ
in many different capacities but always with a heavy ministry
emphasis on training and developing entry level staff and volunteers
in the out reach to youth both domestically and abroad. All
the time maintaining and participating in local church leadership
at many levels.
In 1989 Gene received his MA in Educational Leadership from
Western Michigan Univ. and opened an educational and organizational
consulting firm, PerforMax. This became a spring board for Regional
and National YFC training positions. He also opened a creative
marketing endeavor in tentmaking.
In 2000, InterServe/USA noted the mentoring efforts of the
Plattes and invited them on staff as Area Mobilzers for the
seven Midwestern states.
