Rev. Gary and Stephanie Schulte

Serving the Lord in West & Central Africa

Bio

The Rev. Gary and Stephanie Schulte serve the Lord through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in West and Central Africa. As a theological educator for francophone Africa, Gary assists churches in eight West and Central African nations in the formation of their pastors primarily through teaching and curriculum development at three regional seminaries located in Togo, Guinea and the Republic of Congo. He also helps the 20-plus Lutheran church partners in these eight countries with the development and implementation of Theological Education by Extension (TEE), which has the dual objective of strengthening the laity in the faith and preparing the most gifted students for residential seminary education. The ultimate goal is to leave behind a cadre of faithful African pastors capable of training other African pastors. Stephanie serves as regional coordinator for mercy medical work. In this role, she envisions, facilitates and coordinates Community Health Education (CHE) initiatives and the deployment of mercy Medical Teams (MMTs) to these parts of Africa.

Gary was born in Lawton, Okla. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Over the years, Gary has served as a missionary in Togo (1987–2000) and in Côte d’Ivoire (2000–2003). Most recently, he served as pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Hillsboro, Mo. (2005–2015).

Stephanie was born in Cheverly, Md. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Washington University in St. Louis; her registered nurse (R.N.) certification from Jefferson College, Hillsboro, Mo.; and a bachelor’s degree in nursing (B.S.N.) from the University of Missouri—St. Louis. Stephanie has worked as a home health care nurse; a staff registered nurse in trauma/acute care surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis; and as an adjunct faculty member at Jefferson College. She also served with Gary in Togo and Côte d’Ivoire.

Gary and Stephanie call Village Lutheran Church in Ladue, Mo., their home congregation. They have four adult children: Tim, Tom, Jeff and Ariana.

Prayers

Pray for the Schultes as they serve in West & Central Africa. Ask God to give them and their four children strength as they are so far away from each other. Pray God continues to preserve Gary and Stephanie’s good physical and spiritual well-being while they are on the mission field. Ask God to grant them success in sharing the life-giving message of the Gospel as they seek to free people from the bondage of their traditional beliefs. Pray that God continues to raise up faithful indigenous pastors throughout the region. Ask God to grant success to Stephanie’s new medical ministry in the midst of such great physical need.

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Additional Information

• Birthdays:
  • Gary - Aug. 7
  • Stephanie - May 6
• Wedding Anniversary: May 31
• Home District: Missouri

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