Walking Together with God

September 1, 2015

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by Caitlin Gent | Photography by Anna Mayer

Fred and Gini Schneider, who are charter members of Eastbrook, recently celebrated their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary.

Both Fred and Gini have been active servants at Eastbrook and elsewhere for many years. They led a Couples Bible study group at Eastbrook for about 15 years, and also co-led a group for single parents. Gini has been a table leader for the Friday morning Bible study, and Fred was one of the original members of the men’s breakfast and Bible study on Saturday mornings. The Schneiders have also been hosting the same Life Group for 25 years, about which Fred said fondly, “The average age of our group is 75. We have four people over 90!”

Outside of Eastbrook, Gini serves as a prayer consultant for Southeastern Wisconsin with Brothers and Sisters in Christ Serving (BASICS). Gini says that her work with BASICS allows her to “…know what God is doing [in Milwaukee]. He is so active in our city, and the news doesn’t let people know that—they only show the bad stuff.” Fred, also, has worked in the city for many years, and has served with the St. Charles Ministry for Incarcerated Youth for 15 years. He has also co-led a chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) with Tom Meyer.

Fred and Gini met at UW-Madison in September 1947. As Fred recalls, “I saw this beautiful blonde-haired gal with a green dress on, and I told my buddy: ‘See that girl? That’s my future wife.’ It really was love at first sight.”

Since they met in 1947, the Schneiders have been on a long, fulfilling journey with Christ. While it has not always been an easy road, both Fred and Gini are deeply grateful to God for his faithfulness. According to Fred, “I had a drinking problem, but my life really changed when I met the Lord Jesus. We’ve had a radical change in our marriage since then, as well.”

Over the past thirty years, Fred and Gini have been active members of Eastbrook. When asked how they found Eastbrook, Fred said, “We were looking for a Spirit-filled Christian church. We wanted to get with a church where the Holy Spirit and the Word were preached, and Eastbrook was the answer.”

During their time at Eastbrook, the Schneiders have made wonderful friends and have shared their lives with many people. Fred and Gini continue to share openly about their life together with Christ. In Gini’s words, “Most of all, I want [Eastbrookers] to know we’ve been married for 65 years. To be alive and married at 87 is unusual, and that’s strictly a God thing. That’s what I feel our mission is now: to glorify God with our marriage.”

Throughout the past 65 years, Fred and Gini have learned, together, how to sustain a God-honoring marriage. To that end, Gini said, “The most important thing is to forgive. God gives you the grace to forgive; there are all kinds of verses that say that to get through the times when you want to quit. If you can get through those, the marriage grows stronger.”

Fred nodded, and chimed in; “Yes, and a problem arises when you’re both coming from living alone, because you’re not used to saying ‘yes’ to the other person.”

“The first time Fred said, ‘You’re right,’ it felt like an atomic blast in the room,” Gini laughed. She continued, “You have to always say ‘forgive me’ and ‘you’re right.’”

What is your life verse?

Gini: “Mine is Romans 8:28, ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ During the time I had cancer, it was Proverbs 3:5-6, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.’”

Fred: “Mine is Proverbs 3:5-6.”

Gini: “No wonder we love each other.”

Fred: “And also Romans 12:2, ‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.’ I just love memorizing Scripture.”