Al Schuck, Adult Life Pastor

Al oversees all ministries devoted to the life of adults at Open Door. In his pastoral role he gives care and leadership to adults and to those ministering to them.

Despite his talent and natural flair for leadership, Al’s calling would never have been realized outside of a changed heart. By His grace, God showed Al that his focus had been misdirected toward himself and how he compared to others: sometimes comparing himself and coming away arrogant, while at other times he came away condemned. “The good news that I can testify to is that as the Beloved of God, I can quit comparing and actually enjoy life! None of us have it figured out. None of us have it all together. Yet we are His Beloved!”

Al is blessed to be married to his best friend, Linda, for 15 years, and he and his wife have a 5 year old daughter, Taylor, whom he calls “Sweetness”. These two are the recipients of his time and attention beyond the Open Door community.

To his credit, Al graduated from Northwestern College and received a Masters degree from Bethel University. However, these academic credentials pale in comparison to the priceless real life education he received working at Domino’s Pizza and Camp Snoopy. It is from these foundational years that Al is able to offer wisdom such as “Don’t trust statistics. Studies show that 86% of them are made up.”

Al also offers these challenges which reflect his current journey: "Dare I define myself as one who is radically loved by God?", and because of who I am, "Dare I live my life to the fullest, with nothing to prove, nothing to hide, and nothing to lose?"