James Lambert
5 children, 18 grandchildren celebrate the life of Steve Schrater on Father's day
By James Lambert
This Father's Day I wish to honor the life of my friend, Steve Schrater, who left a mark on the world despite his relatively short period of time here on earth.
Steve was born in Sydney, Australia in January of 1952. In 1956, parents Marvin and Kathleen Schrater moved to San Mateo, California to raise their son. After graduating from high school in 1970, Steve decided to attend Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon.
During the early 1970s the school had a student population of about 1500, with the vast majority living in dormitories on campus. That fall Steve moved into the infamous 3rd floor of Hewitt Hall. The hallway of the floor had corridors so filled with smoke from pot that kids could get high just walking down them.
By that spring, in 1971, there was an incredible wave of enthusiasm on campus towards Christianity and the Gospel message of Christ, often called the Jesus Movement. Christian organizations around campus (including Campus Crusade for Christ) reached out to non-believers in a big way during this time. In February of that year, Steve Schrater's life was completely changed by this movement. A friend shared a small, well read booklet entitled, The 4 Spiritual Laws with him. Schrater enthusiastically received the material and made a decision to commit his life to follow Jesus Christ.
Within 4 months, the college freshman traveled to Loleta, California to live at Lighthouse Ranch, a Christian commune. The Ranch was operated by Gospel Outreach and led by Senior Pastor Jim Durkin. Within the next year he married Teri, his high school sweetheart, and over time they became parents of five children.
Steve was heavily involved in full time ministry, eventually becoming a pastor. Over the next 10+ years, Steve reached out to a multitude of young people telling them about the Good News of Jesus Christ, causing many to be delivered from drugs and other vices. Steve made a significant difference in numerous lives. As his mother Kathleen recently said that "this was his calling."
Unfortunately, Steve died in 1987 but his legacy continues. Just ask the 18 grandchildren who can call Steve their granddad and the hundreds of lives he touched with the Good News of Jesus Christ. So here's to you Steve — Happy Father's Day!
© James Lambert
This Father's Day I wish to honor the life of my friend, Steve Schrater, who left a mark on the world despite his relatively short period of time here on earth.
Steve was born in Sydney, Australia in January of 1952. In 1956, parents Marvin and Kathleen Schrater moved to San Mateo, California to raise their son. After graduating from high school in 1970, Steve decided to attend Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon.
During the early 1970s the school had a student population of about 1500, with the vast majority living in dormitories on campus. That fall Steve moved into the infamous 3rd floor of Hewitt Hall. The hallway of the floor had corridors so filled with smoke from pot that kids could get high just walking down them.
By that spring, in 1971, there was an incredible wave of enthusiasm on campus towards Christianity and the Gospel message of Christ, often called the Jesus Movement. Christian organizations around campus (including Campus Crusade for Christ) reached out to non-believers in a big way during this time. In February of that year, Steve Schrater's life was completely changed by this movement. A friend shared a small, well read booklet entitled, The 4 Spiritual Laws with him. Schrater enthusiastically received the material and made a decision to commit his life to follow Jesus Christ.
Within 4 months, the college freshman traveled to Loleta, California to live at Lighthouse Ranch, a Christian commune. The Ranch was operated by Gospel Outreach and led by Senior Pastor Jim Durkin. Within the next year he married Teri, his high school sweetheart, and over time they became parents of five children.
Steve was heavily involved in full time ministry, eventually becoming a pastor. Over the next 10+ years, Steve reached out to a multitude of young people telling them about the Good News of Jesus Christ, causing many to be delivered from drugs and other vices. Steve made a significant difference in numerous lives. As his mother Kathleen recently said that "this was his calling."
Unfortunately, Steve died in 1987 but his legacy continues. Just ask the 18 grandchildren who can call Steve their granddad and the hundreds of lives he touched with the Good News of Jesus Christ. So here's to you Steve — Happy Father's Day!
© James Lambert
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