What One Missionary Learned After a Lifetime of Serving Christ

What One Missionary Learned After a Lifetime of Serving Christ

What does a lifetime of faithful ministry look like? In this special episode of Crusade With Me!, I sit down with Rev. Schumacher, a pastor whose life has been marked by humble service, deep theological conviction, and a genuine love for people. Our conversation spans decades of ministry—from serving as a missionary in Africa with his family, to his pioneering work with the deaf community through the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, where he helped develop sign language for use in the Church's liturgy. We discuss the importance of communicating the Gospel so that everyone can hear the Good News in a language they understand. Rev. Schumacher also shares how meaningful relationships became the foundation of effective men's ministry and healthy congregational growth. His insights remind us that the Church is not built merely through programs, but through faithful people investing in one another. Now retired from full-time ministry, his work continues in a different setting: a woodworking shop where neighborhood children gather to build wooden crosses, learn practical skills, and experience the love of Christ through the gift of time and mentorship. Throughout our conversation, you'll hear the wisdom of a confessional Lutheran pastor who treasures the rich theology and traditions of the Christian faith, while also hearing the heart of a devoted husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and servant of Christ. This wasn't simply an interview—it was time spent with a man whose life reminds us that faithfulness is measured not by recognition, but by a lifetime of pointing others to Jesus Christ. I hope you'll enjoy this conversation as much as I did. It was truly a blessing to spend this time with Rev. Schumacher.

The God Who Seeks

What if the greatest obstacle between you and God isn't your past—but your belief that you've gone too far? In this episode of Crusade With Me!, we explore two powerful passages of Scripture that reveal the very heart of God. In First Timothy 1:12–17, the Apostle Paul calls himself the "foremost of sinners," yet boldly proclaims the immeasurable grace of Christ. Then, in Gospel of Luke 1–10, Jesus tells the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, reminding us that God is not waiting for the lost to find Him—He is actively seeking them. Together, these readings paint a beautiful picture of a God whose mercy is greater than our failures and whose joy is found in restoring what was lost. In this episode, we'll explore: * What these Scriptures meant to their original hearers. * What they reveal about the character of God. * How religion can distort our understanding of grace. * How Jesus fulfills God's mission to seek and save the lost. * Why the Cross is the ultimate expression of God's relentless love. * How the Holy Spirit transforms forgiven sinners into people who reflect Christ's heart. * And finally, in The Build, we'll discover how these truths shape the way we think, the way we treat others, and the way we participate in God's mission of seeking the lost. No matter where you've been, no matter what you've done, this episode is a reminder that your story is never beyond the reach of God's grace. Because the Good Shepherd is still searching. And heaven still rejoices every time one lost soul is found.

Connecting Dots

The older I get, the less certain I become about many things. Twenty years ago, I thought I had most of life's answers figured out. Today, I realize that certainty is often easier than wisdom, and arrogance is far easier than humility. In this episode, I share why Crusade With Me! exists in the first place. This podcast was never created because I believed I had all the answers. It was created because I need the questions. Together, we'll explore what it means to "connect the dots" in life. Sometimes we connect dots that have no business being connected. Other times, we fail to see the connections that are right in front of us. Our habits, relationships, health, faith, attention, and decisions are all intertwined in ways we often overlook. As I reflect on our recent comeback episodes, I've come to recognize a common thread running through them all: the pursuit of wisdom. Not information. Not opinions. Wisdom. The wisdom that comes from God. If we want to become healthier, stronger, mentally sharper, spiritually deeper, and more faithful in our daily lives, we need more than knowledge. We need Divine Wisdom to help us understand which dots matter and which ones don't. This isn't an episode about having answers. It's an episode about seeking them. So, grab a cup of coffee and join me as we explore the questions that shape our lives, the patterns we often miss, and the wisdom that can only be found by walking with God. Because information fills the mind. But Divine Wisdom transforms the soul.

No More Excuses

Most people don't reject God because they hate him. They reject Him because they're busy. Busy building careers. Busy chasing dreams. Busy paying bills. Busy scrolling phones. Busy entertaining themselves. And before long, the important gets crowded out by the urgent. Jesus tells the story about that. Luke3:13-18 John tells us what happens when we let God's love shape our lives. I John 14:16-24 Together these readings challenge us to examine where our priorities truly are.

“From Scoundrel to Shepherd: The 1975 Turning Point — A Conversation with Pastor Mike Hesterman”

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Crusade With Me! Dave sits down with a lifelong friend — Pastor Mike Hesterman — to revisit a 30‑year friendship and a 50‑year faith journey. Pastor Mike opens up about his early life as a self‑described scoundrel, his years of rebellion, his time in the Army during a racially tense and dangerous season, and the night in 1975 when he was forced to confront the question: “If I died tonight… where would I go?” What follows is a raw, honest, and moving conversation about: * Growing up between two strong traditions — Lutheran and Mennonite * Wrestling with infant baptism, adult baptism, and what Scripture actually says * The dangers of drugs, deception, and dabbling in darkness * The moment in Germany that changed everything * How identity, rebellion, and human nature haven’t changed in 6,000 years * Why being made in the image of God still matters today * The struggle to mature spiritually — and why some truths only hit us decades later This episode is rich with wisdom, humility, humor, and the kind of honesty only two old friends can share. A must‑listen for anyone wrestling with faith, identity, or the long road of transformation.