Elder Q&A: Gary Schutte
Q: Share your testimony. How did God draw you to faith in Christ?
A: I was raised in a Christian home. My parents took us weekly to Church, Sunday School and for three years (5th thru 8th grade) attended our church’s Christian day school. During those years I was able to study the Bible, and learn God’s plan for my salvation.
God’s call to me has been progressive. In my earlier years of life, I knew and accepted Christ as my Savior, but didn't fully understand or appreciate the great gift He has given me in His son Christ. He was not the Lord of my life, rather, I was living life, my way.
Through several events in my life, God was working to get my attention. The greatest attention-getter was my marriage to Paula. Her family accepted me unconditionally. They have loved me as a child of their own. The grace and mercy they extended to me, I knew, I didn’t deserve.
The years of raising a family, the good and difficult times of my employment, and most recently, on April 22, after nearly 47 years of marriage to Paula, God chose to take her to himself, but God, day by day, has met my needs.
God has worked through the encouragement and kindness of my immediate family, church family and friends, to show me that He has never abandoned me, but walks with me, even in my darkest days.
I thank God, for His needed work of patience, continued growth in my life! What more does He need to show me, to convince me, that He is all I need?
Q: Why do you want to serve as an elder?A: As an elder, I have the opportunity to:
- bring God glory
- say THANK YOU, (which seems so small) to God, for all His past, present and future, goodness to my family and myself.
- serve the membership of NCC
- serve the community of Northfield with the Gospel of Christ.
Q: How are you currently serving at NCCA: I have served on the NCC financial team, occasional teacher of Children’s Church and their Sunday School, and various other committees