Derek Scholz – an example of patient endurance!

Derek Scholz is an inspiring part of the South Sound singles ministry, and his life is proof that with God’s help, patient endurance will produce fruit in our lives.  Back in 1999, Derek was working as an assistant manager at a Red Apple Market in University Place.  He was working and attending school, but felt little spiritual progress in his life.  One day he was invited to Bible Talk by Alex Whitaker, who was a member of the Tacoma singles ministry.  He never went, feeling like life was a bit too busy and hectic.  He was also invited by other members of the church at various times.

About that time he became friends with Nicole Savage (now Moen!).  Nicole was at a point in her life where she began contemplating a relationship with God, and began attending church with an old high school friend, eventually getting involved in some personal Bible studies.  Of course, she invited Derek to attend church with her one Sunday.  Derek showed up, and was amazed to see it was the same church that Alex and others had previously invited him to!  He began to attend church regularly, and also started to study the Bible, eager to find out if God indeed had plans for his life.  Derek was inspired by what he saw – deep relationships that are committed to caring for one another, principles and people that called him higher, and a purpose that transcended anything he had ever experienced.  He really felt like God was calling him to do so much more with his life.  Derek was baptized into Christ on November 16, 1999!

If you ask Derek about his struggles, he will be the first to tell you that often, when the going got tough, he was quickly tempted to give up.  He started attending Pacific Lutheran University and playing on the baseball team, only to encounter a series of frustrations and disappointments.  He quit both.  When confronted with tough relationships in his life, he usually pulled back and went elsewhere.  Whether it was family issues, financial pressure, or the stress of school and life, Derek felt weak.  All that changed as he became a Christian and began to rely on God’s strength, not his own.

Surrounded by caring relationships, Derek began to confront his fears head on.  He enrolled at the University of Puget Sound, determined to finish his business degree.  With a little pressure from friends, he even tried out for the baseball team and won a spot!  After a lot of hard work and many ups and downs, Derek graduated!  He boldly moved on in life, and is now a very successful sales associate for Esseloir Laboratories, specializing in custom optical lenses.  I recently asked Derek  what God has helped him overcome as he has devoted his life to following him?  He answered, “God has helped me have a spiritual view of money and possessions, has allowed me to be a giver, not a taker in life.  He has graciously helped me build strong relationships, and become more of a leader with the campus students, teens and singles.  He has helped me gain control over my emotions, giving me the strength to overcome long held fears, and to step our and take risks in life.”

Derek has felt what almost all of us have felt many times – when we grow weary or feel pressure, we are tempted to give up.  However, with God’s help and a stubborn commitment to standing firm in God, Derek has grown into a steady, mature disciple of Christ!

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Galatians 6:9

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