Back in the late 1960's when Terry Roos married seminarian Gerald Kieschnick, she had no idea of the road that lie ahead, but she trusted God and her husband and followed her faith. Join host Rev. John Cain as he and Mrs. Kieschnick recount the twists and turns that led the couple from their first parish in Mississippi through a career that included a stint as the National President of the LCMS to their current role with Legacy Deo. With her typical sense of humor, Terry offers one simple message: "Each day is a gift from God. Try not to mess it up!"

The following program is sponsored by evangelical life ministries.

Welcome to engaging truth, the manifestation of God's word and the lives of people around us. Join us each week. As we explore the impact of his message of spiritual renewal from the lesson of forgiveness forged in the crucible of divorce, to the message of salvation learned to by an executioner from a condemned killer to the gift of freedom found in the rescue of victims of human trafficking. This is God's truth in action.

Welcome to another edition of engaging truth. I'm your host, John Kane, and I bring to you greetings from the, uh, good folks at Redeemer in Nacodoches Texas. Today, we, with us on the program, we're gonna be talking with Terry ke Schick and Terry is the wife of the past president of the LCMS, Jerry Kischnik. And more importantly to us in Texas, he was also the past president of our Texas district and a dear friend. Welcome to the program, Terry,

Thank you for having me on feel very honored to be able to speak to people

Today. Well, we're so happy to have you today. Uh, we are going to be airing this program, uh, on, uh, mother's day. And, um, you know, back when I was in the seminary, they said that, uh, ordinarily women are the emotional gatekeepers of, uh, relationships between human beings and, and, you know, congregational life is, uh, just an extension of our families. And so that's correct. The,

You know, the that's very, very

True. The women in our congregations really set that emotional tone for us. And so now coming out of, I wanted to touch base with you, uh, since you are a, uh, internationally known speaker, especially to women, uh, talking about, you know, the, the encouragement that I think that you can give to us. So do you wanna bring us up to speed? Uh, a little bit about yourself?

Well, I can start out in brief tell you, um, many, many years ago when Jerry first asked me to marry him, he said, wanted to know if I would marry him. And then he paused and he said, I have another question. And I said, oh. And he said, I would like for you to join me at the seminary and you to be considered to be a pastor's wife. Well, when I told one of my sweet friends, she said, Terry, God must be really hard up if he wants you as a pastor's wife. And I said, well, we, we will see. So we, we went to the seminary and I work and Jerry went to school and worked part-time and then came time for, um, Vicarage. And we were very blessed. We went to a congregation whose pastor had gone to the area to begin a new congregation with nothing.

And it was a thriving congregation when we got there not long after we were there, he became ill and he told Jerry, you're gonna take over till I feel better. And so that was such a learning curve for Jerry and his PA, then the pastor's wife was, she was lovely. And she taught me a lot of things about being a pastor's wife and loving people. And so we got back and then we found out we were, uh, blessed to be expecting our first child. And I'll talk about that later, but then came, uh, call night and we got our first call to Biloxi, Mississippi, and then ordination. And then we packed up what few earthly things that we had and moved to Biloxi. And we were at a congregation who had many service people in the congregation. Um, anyway from beginners all the way up to the tippy top, I went that day, that time to a woman's meeting group.

And one of the ladies started quizzing me about stuff about church and alter Gill. And I remember standing been saying, ma'am, I didn't come here with all the answers out of the seminary. I came here just to love everybody. And I feel like I can learn so much from all of you. If you will teach me, we had a wonderful first congregation and these P were dear sweet friends. We had 'em in our home and I loved to entertain people and, you know, just enjoy. And from there, we got a call to establish congregation in Texas. And I remember leaving Biloxi and crying, cuz I kind of left a little piece of my heart. Once again, people were very great, great and loving. And we, once again opened our home and this one couple laughed and said, we've never been in a pastor's home before.

And I said, well, it's no different anyway. And I said, just don't bring your white gloves. So anyway, we were there for eight and a half years and Jerry got a call to go to start a mission congregation from nothing. And we prayed about that a long time and we would've had to, we took a, a huge cut in salary. And so, but we decided this was something God wanted us to do. So we went and there was a nucleus, maybe 15, 20 people that were, that were interested in helping start this congregation. Well, within, within a month, maybe less, we found a building and people chipped in and started building an altar and a pulpit, a baptismal fought. And these people were such angels of God and that church. And then we finally, uh, got money and we were able to build our first building and it was wonderful.

We were there a little over five, five years and then Jerry got a call to the district office to work for the Lutheran foundation. And it was a big change for me because I loved the people in our congregation and I loved giving to them and learning from them. So it was a, a big adjustment for me. And from there, God had other plans for him. So he became a district president of Texas and Jerry just loves people. And so do I. So I tried to travel with him to get to know pastor's wives and, and then I felt very, we both felt always very blessed to, um, honor and, and be a part of the church and to represent the church. So in the meantime, during that time he was district president, the pastor's wives retreat began and we feel very blessed. Not all districts offer that to their pastor's wives, then God had other plans for us.

And so we moved to St. Louis, which was huge. So once again, we opened our home, entertained, traveled extensively, uh, but loved it. People were so kind and gracious and yes, along the way, you're gonna meet some joy suckers in life, but we let God take care of them. And then we moved back to Texas and Jerry went to work for con Cordio working in a leadership program. And then he got a call again from his first love. He loved the Lutheran foundation and now it's legacy Dale and he just loves people and we're still entertaining. And I guess through it all, I just felt like my PO art as a pastor's wife or a wife was just to be giving. I love to give stuff to people. To me that is more fun. And I, I learned to love these women. They taught me so much.

Um, so I have such a heart for women in our church and beyond. And speaking of women, we talked about it being mother's day and, um, you know, not all women have been blessed to have their very own family. However, I know quite a few couples who have loved and mentored and cared for other people's children throughout their life and the people that they have mentored and love always come back and, and, and stay with them. And to me, they're heroes also. And to me, being a mother is such a blessing and joy and okay, to be honest, not, not every day. I remember seeing a man in the grocery store with two little children, two little girls all dressed up and I said, oh, sir, just love them. They grow up so fast. And he said, ma'am today. They can't grow up fast enough. so, um, you know, their mothers come in all shapes and sizes and mentors, but however, they, we all have something in common.

Each one of us comes with a giving and loving heart for our children. We want the best. And so God let us experience expecting our child. And so I thought, oh good. And we talk about adding more children to our family. Well, God saw this in a different way. And after much praying and a few tears along the way and more praying, we decided that we were going to adopt. And so we did. And at that time there were no cell phones, you know, that I could call. And of course Jerry was making hospital visits and the lady called and said, we have a child for you. It is a little boy. He's a little over two years of age. And I said, oh, and I was worried. I thought, what, what are we gonna call this child? I said, what's his name? And she said, they call him Andy.

And we had picked out the name, Andrew, and we were expecting our first child. However, we had a beautiful little girl and I cannot tell you the feeling that went through my body, that God knew who and what we needed. And so it has been a wonderful life with these two. And I also sometimes say we have three children because God blessed us with a wonderful son-in-law. So we call him our son in love. And I just, um, looking back, I know why God let this happen in our lives. Because through the years I've been able to talk to women all across the United States who are longing and hoping for a family of their own. And just to sit and talk about adoption is, you know, a thought, not everybody wants to do it. However, there are those that, that do it. And so I feel like that was, um, a gift God gave me to talk to other women.

Um, I just, it has been a wonderful experience and it was one that I never growing up thought that God had these things in mind for us. I mean, sometimes I look back and I am just blown away about all the people that we met, all the travelers earth in the United States and internationally, we were so blessed to meet so many people and learn about God's love in their eyes and seeing how they worshiped and cared. And just seeing the mission of the church grow was exciting for us. And it still is. Uh, we, you know, things have slowed down a little for us. I kind of laughed being married to Jerry keek is, is like being married to the pink money. He has more energy than anybody I ever knew. And so I always think about a Bible verse that was very, very, and has been very special to me all my life. It was Jeremiah 29 11.

And it talks about, I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord. Um, let me see plans to prosper you and not harm you and plans to, I think it says, give you hope in a future. And, and so that, that has been such a comfort to me in many, many ways over the years. And I also need to add, we are blessed with two wonderful grandchildren. Um, and the other thing I, I wanted to say, there's a song that talks to me. Um, and so it's a verse out of a, a regular song and it's here. I am, Lord is a I Lord, I have heard your calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me and I will hold your people in my heart. And I think that's what I've tried to do through the years is hold people in my heart and just love them. And I guess to sum up my life, I would say, you know, she loved, she gave, she tried. And so I just think I'm so thankful for the things that God has blessed us with. And I just pray that those people who are blessed to be a mother in different ways, have a wonderful mother's day filled with much joy and sweet memories and, and maybe get togethers in one way or the other. And I didn't know if I've been speaking too much or there's something else you wanna ask me,

This is wonderful. Terry, you know, uh, we talked a little bit about the experiences, people that have, um, if they get to be a mother, but they, you know, everybody has had a mother. Um, and so coming from that shared human experience, um, sometimes it's, um, not easy for, uh, uh, people to have children of their own and yet in congregational life. Um, as we mentioned at the outset, that is, um, really an extension of our families and it's kind of a big hybrid family. We have over 360 congregations, LCMS congregations in Texas alone. Uh, so most, every community has one. And so it's, uh, not only the pastor's wives that you're talking to today, um, across Texas and across the nation, but also the women in those Al guilds, the wo the women in the Sunday school classes. So what, um, you know, as we're, as we're coming out, hopefully of this time of COVID and people have been so isolated, what words would you have for, uh, the women to, uh, to maybe take the, and try something in their local congregations? What, what, what direction can you give us?

I just ask that sometimes we just need to be still ask God what he wants us to do, and, you know, it's okay to fail, but if you never try, you know, you might succeed and soar, but maybe you want, but it's another stepping stone to try again. I mean, don't give up on things that you would like to do for God. And, uh, maybe he leads you in another direction and you look back over the tapestry of your life and you think, wow, I never would've picked that, but I'm glad I am here now. So maybe that, uh, to me is to keep on asking God for a direction in your life. I think all those women who are so gracious and giving and loving to the church and do things that maybe you don't even see, probably one of my favorite Sundays in church was people walked in and there was no him board up there. Nothing was on the altar. No, uh, bulletins were given out and Jerry started the church service by saying, you know, all these things, the don't just happen. There are people beside, behind the scenes that make these things happen. And all of a sudden these people were getting up and doing things at the church and people were so astonished because they had no idea how people worked and gave her their love and their time at church. So, you know, I just say, God bless you. And I love you for doing what you do.

My wife, uh, Kathy, uh, has mentioned some of the, uh, meetings that you've shared time together. And she's talked about how you've laughed together and cried together. And for many people's a jewel , well, I'd have to agree. for many people this past year has been a year of isolation. And so finding ways to, um, be vulnerable if you will, but also to, uh, to share time with people is going to be a very, very psychologically and spiritually important time for, for people to undertake. And so I think your, your words of encouragement about prayer first and, uh, finding out what God wants us to do is, uh, wonderful encouragement.

During this time, I tried to call people and say, you know, I miss seeing you, how are you? Or, you know, just sending cards and little notes, you don't have to say anything huge or profound, but just saying, I'm thinking about you. I love you. I, I hope God's keeping you safe. And I mean, it just, it's the little things I think that you can do to a encourage people each and every day,

And that, uh, friendship connection shows that you, you value them. You love them. And that's a wonderful thing to do. We'll come back to you in just a moment, Terry, I'd like to share with our listeners a little bit about E L M and the program that you're listening to engaging truth a, uh, we are now, uh, making these available as podcasts. If you'd like to, uh, check out a, uh, past edition of our programming. We're a small group of Christ centered folks who believe in the power of communication and the power of God. It has been, um, uh, for many of us on the, um, board of directors or staff, a, um, a wonderful but eyeopening experience, uh, dealing with technology and, uh, sharing these stories. So, uh, I think the technology continues to involve and evolve if you will, and, uh, involve so many of God's people.

So we're, uh, asking our listeners to, uh, uh, pray also not only about what he wants you to do in your local congregation, but perhaps if you'd like to, uh, be a supporter of what we are doing with this radio program, we have listeners around the globe via internet radio, and we have listeners on, uh, FM radio locally in Houston. Uh, we're reaching, uh, lots of folks with the, uh, good news of the gospel of Jesus and what Jesus is doing in the lives of individual believers. I'd, uh, point you to our website, E L M houston.org. Uh, you can ask access those past, uh, radio programs, uh, we'd encourage your prayers. And if, uh, you'd like to be a partner with us, uh, please, uh, send in a donation either on our website, or you can mail it at M P O box 5, 6, 8, Cypress, Texas 7 7 4 1. Oh. Now back to our guest to, uh, thank you so much for sharing your heart and, um, giving our listeners some pointed, uh, prayer points and, and also talking about things that, that people can do, what, uh, what's going to be your, uh, first emphasis as, um, our congregations get back to 100%. What do you, what do you looking forward to doing most that you haven't been able to do

Hug people? I, I'm a hugger and I, I love people and, and tell 'em hello. And the, the one thing I always enjoyed when we were in the parish, I would stand with Jerry on Sunday. So I could meet people because I couldn't always go out with him when he made calls at night with little children. And so that was delightful. And that was one way I got to know people and I just love hugging people. And I miss that and just that human touch and, you know, not everybody's a hugger, but, you know, you know, who is and who isn't, but just, and just to sit in a church, you know, you can watch it on TV. And that's wonderful. However, just to sit in church and, and hear other people sing and pray together, that's a mountaintop experience

To me. Oh, I, I have to agree. And, you know, thinking about the very heart of God, who we read in scripture, that God is love. You know, he, he could have, uh, just been sitting in heaven and watching, uh, the, the problems of the us earth from afar. But instead he sent Jesus into human flesh to take human flesh into the eternal Trinity, to be our savior, to be our rescuer, uh, to lift us up from the problems, uh, that we experience here. So we think, and aren't we grateful, oh, we absolutely are. So it's not only the fact that we can gather as God's people, but that he has first shown us the love that, uh, that we share with others.

I also think that each day is a gift. You know, when your feet hit the floor in the morning, God is giving you a gift for the day. So, you know, try not to mess it up.

, I'll, I'll try and take that to heart, Terry. sure I need work on that. . So we've been talking with, uh, Terry ke Nick Terry, is there a way for people to contact you,

You can call legacy day and they can route you to my, my email address. And, uh, I'll be happy to talk to people. Um, you know, and, and John, I wanna just say, God, bless what you all are doing and reaching people for Christ and extending the mission of the church. That is very, very powerful.

Thank you for listening to this broadcast of engaging truth, peace, sure. To join us each week at this time, to help support our ministry, contact evangelical life ministries, post office box 5 68, Cypress, Texas 77, 410, or visit our website@elmhouston.org, or find us on Facebook at evangelical life ministries. Thank you.

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