Rick & Cheryl's Unfinished Story

Rick and Cheryl Schoepf were introduced to each other by their college roommates forty-one years ago, and got married one year to the day from their first date. They have a son, a daughter, and five grandchildren.

They visited Pathway Church for the first time in November 2003 after going through a painful church “implosion” in their previous church. Afterward, it took them a long time to trust anyone, but soon found themselves being accepted and loved at Pathway.

Cheryl learned a lot from the hurt she experienced. She has grown wiser in many ways because of what she went through. She and Rick are ready for God to use them again.

They realize they are not finished, and that God has a plan for them. They feel that God has given them deep love for others, and they want to use the gifts He has given them for His glory. Rick has found that God is using him in many ways through his Chevrolet business to minister to others. Together, Rick and Cheryl mentor other couples.

Cheryl said, “We want to let God lead us and guide us, and pretty much say, ‘I open my heart up, and whatever comes, comes. I’m ready.'”

They’ve been part of past initiatives, and when asked what is pushing them this time in Unfinished, they realize there are things that are distracting them from being fully committed.

Rick said, “What challenged us was we just needed to let go and make sure that whatever we are doing with our money, with our time, and with our hearts, whatever it is, the first thing we have to do is ask ‘what does God want us to do with this?’ Period.”

They realize there is so much to be done, and they cannot hold back. “As you get older, you realize how quickly life goes, and we don’t have much time. There’s a sense of urgency that I need to have and I need to allow God to use me,” Rick said.

Cheryl said, “Being unfinished to me is exciting. I’m getting older, and my health is not real good. Realizing that God can still use me in so many ways, and that I can give so much is exciting to me because it means I am worth something.”

By Rob Dakin