WHAT WOULD YOUR CONGREGATION THINK?
What would your congregation think if this man was the speaker next Sunday morning in your church? You probably do not recognioze him but (Oh Yes), this is just Russ preparing for another amazing presentation that has changed the lives of those that come in contact with the ministry of AMERICAN PATHWAYS.
Think about it. It is Sunday morning and this man with his cart full of assorted junk is right in front of the church. His sign reads: "Will work for food" and another reads, "Please help!" If your church is similar to the many that this presentetion has been presented to in the past, there were few that even gave him a second look as they continued into the house of God for worship. Just Imagine how it would be when the derelict actually wanders into the church and staggers down near the front to find a seat. Imagine even further how the congregation would react when he gets up and begins to stagger towards the platform.
Oh yes! When he takes the microphone and presents the message for the day there will be many that will begin to realize that they have failed the same simple test that took place so many years ago along the side of a dusty yet traveled dirt road. Today they will be given the opportunityt to remember that there was only one SAMARITAN man that took the time to stop and help the poor soul laying along side of the road. And they will also know that today they may have failed that same test of caring.
THIS PRESENTATION HAS BEEN SO IMPACTING TO CONGREGATIONS THAT THEY HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT FOR MANY MONTHS. It is not a message of condemnation but a message of hope and re-awakening for the Christian that may have drifted off to sleep and maybe become a little oblivious to the sad state of the world around us. It has changed some lives forever.
AMERICAN PATHWAYS will work closely with the Pastor to co-ordinate this presentation to meet their expectations in every detail.
The story behind the "Story Teller"
Russell J. Schallock was born in Northern Michigan. He was associated with the Lutheran Church throughout his youth and eventually confirmed by that denomination. When Russ left high school he went to Madison Wisconsin and by his 21st. birthday was married. During the early years after leaving Michigan, until about five years into his marriage he had little interest in the things of God. He was a law abiding citizen, was a good family man, and at this point had his first child on the way. The thought of a new baby brought him to the point of seeking a spiritual foundation for his beginning family. Having just moved to Las Vegas Nevada and having very little spiritual background and doctrinal understanding, was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormonism). Russ and his family spent two years in the Mormon cult until moving from Las Vegas back to the Mid-West in the late 60's.
Through the many trials that life places before us, sin can eventually creep in and begin to affect our lives and relationships if we do not cling to spiritual core values. This was no different in Russ’s life. At the age of thirty-one, Russ was on his way home from work in deep anguish. His eyes were filled with tears as he sobbed at the serious potential of loosing his family if he could not gain control of alcohol And other areas of need that were out of control in his life. He reached out to God that day and cried out, "God, if there is a God; Help me! I cannot make it alone!” Russ knew that his cry had been heard. He didn’t know “what, why, or how” but he knew something was different. He wandered into a newly forming church that had been meeting in a small abandoned restaurant. Over the next few weeks he grew interested in what he was hearing. One night in the middle of January while sitting in his own living room, Pastor Larry Newton from that newly forming church led him to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
His life changed dramatically. He had been changed (born again) as described in the third chapter of John. As the weeks began to slip by Russ began to become greatly concerned as to why he had been so naive as to be so easily deceived into becoming a member of a non Christian cult while living in Las Vegas. He began to seek God, study the bible, draw wisdom from his pastor, and devour major Christian doctrinal teaching. His goal was to prepare himself to never be so easily deceived again. In the years that followed he would teach many classes in his own church on the importance of recognizing false doctrine and false teachers. He would be invited to carry this teaching to other denominations in the area. He would witness to many cult members over the years.
Russ continued to minister in the local church by teaching all levels of Sunday school classes, serve in children' s ministries, and serve on the church board. During a period when there was no one available to work with a boys group in the church, Russ volunteered to help out for a short time. He worked in that ministry for fifteen years. During that time he became well known as a storyteller. During his presentations he began dressing like the characters in the stories. Little by little he became known for this ministry and began getting invited to other churches and denominations to share the good news about Jesus Christ through this growing and unique talent. He has ministered in many Christian settings to groups as large as 2000 and as few as ten. He loves what the Lord has given him to do and has seen many make decisions for Jesus Christ as a result of the power-packed stories the Lord has given him to tell.
Russ feels that it is extremely important to stay in the area of MAJOR CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE when ministering to the many different denominations. Russ avoids secondary doctrine that may tend to cause disharmony. His goal is to help people recognize their need for Christ and aid them as they reach out to the savior, build strength and commitment in their Christian walk, and give the opportunity for some to recommit their lives to the Lord.
Russ is very sensitive to the needs of the local church. He will always discuss the program with the pastor prior to the service and follow the standard practices of their church in all that he does. The stories are action-packed and filled with drama, but there will be no doctrinal surprises for any church wishing to have an exciting Christian challenge through a trip back to the mid 1800's in the form of classic storytelling.
Russ and his lovely and talented wife Cher now live in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The children have grown and gone so they now find themselves at the empty nest period of their lives. However, they are are looking forward to an abundant supply of grand children as the Lord provides. They believe that Christians must never stop growing and should always be seeking the Lord for another vision or another story to tell.
