336372-Schmeltzer,Lu
Lead Church Planter
Joliet Illinois
Shepherd Reformed Baptist Church
November 5
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About My Family
I came to faith in junior high in a Southern Baptist church and felt God’s call to ministry while in high school. I went to ONU for pastoral ministry, where I met my lovely wife, Jess. We were married on 6/12/21 and moved back to Bourbonnais to continue serving in our local church. We recently moved to Morris, Ill., to be more fully involved at our church plant.
Jess taught first grade for a year while I studied at MidAmerica Reformed Seminary. On September 20, 2022, our beautiful daughter, Olivia June, was born! I switched to online studies with Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary to finish my Master of Divinity degree.
I love books on the Christian life and theology, good coffee, Taco Bell and hosting board game nights in our home.
Jess taught first grade for a year while I studied at MidAmerica Reformed Seminary. On September 20, 2022, our beautiful daughter, Olivia June, was born! I switched to online studies with Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary to finish my Master of Divinity degree.
I love books on the Christian life and theology, good coffee, Taco Bell and hosting board game nights in our home.
About My Church Plant
I got really involved in youth group in high school and in my junior year started a student Bible study after school. My pastors encouraged me to fan into flames the gift God had given me to lead and teach, so I decided to go to a Christian college and study for ministry. I was a pastoral intern at a local church for five years and got a lot of experience preaching and shepherding.
We started meeting for worship as “Shepherd Reformed Baptist Church” in August 2023 and have seen more than 60 visitors and dozens of gospel conversations. I am passionate about planting a biblical church where people will be reached with the gospel, God is glorified, disciples are made and healthy families are built. We hope to have a special ministry to the students at Joliet Junior College nearby.
We started meeting for worship as “Shepherd Reformed Baptist Church” in August 2023 and have seen more than 60 visitors and dozens of gospel conversations. I am passionate about planting a biblical church where people will be reached with the gospel, God is glorified, disciples are made and healthy families are built. We hope to have a special ministry to the students at Joliet Junior College nearby.
NAMB Church Planting
Millions in North America are in desperate need of hope. Ultimately, the only hope that’s going to last - in this life and the next - is the hope of the gospel. North American missionaries build relationships and share this hope in their communities and beyond.
