His peers called him L. C. but his congregation always called him Pastor Schwanz. I still remember that Tuesday evening in September 1964 at The Dalles, Oregon. On Sunday my wife Judy and I, a newlywed couple of two months, had attended worship services at The Dalles Church of the Nazarene.

Judy and I were new to this city in northern Oregon. We had arrived about a month before from North Dakota where we had lived our entire lives. We met in the Mandan, North Dakota, school system and married in July 1964. Married life brought us to teaching jobs in The Dalles, Oregon.

We had a common thread-we wanted a church home. Judy had been confirmed in the Lutheran Church while I had some background in a Pentecostal denomination. Neither of us had been very faithful to any church as we had come from unchurched homes. I was worldly in my values and lifestyle.

Two Sundays previous to that September 1964 day we spent doing miscellaneous household jobs. The local radio station was broadcasting a church service from the Nazarene church.

I commented that the pastor seemed to be sincere as his sermon reflected strong Christian principles.

We decided we would check out the church though we had no background in this denomination.

The church was a small congregation meeting in a very nice new facility. No one in particular welcomed us except Pastor Schwanz who asked us several questions at the door as we left that morning.

The following Tuesday evening Pastor Schwanz came to visit us. As we conversed, we heard another knock. A pastor from another church that we had visited was there for a call. The two pastors recognized each other. Now, what do you do? We invited him in also and had a most 'general' conversation for some time before the second pastor excused himself.

After another question and answer session, Pastor Schwanz popped the question. No, the question wasn't about our salvation or whether we knew Jesus. There must have been a sense in Schwanz's mind that we were the answer to what he and his congregation had been praying for. So, the question was: Do either of you play the piano?

Interesting! You see the congregation was losing its pianist, who was to be a student at Northwest Nazarene College. No one else in the congregation played and their weekly Sunday service was broadcast live each Sunday.

Through much encouragement and persistence, Judy became the church's pianist. We dedicated our lives to God's work, were baptized, taken into membership, and have served the church in multiple capacities ever since.

It is our belief that the faithfulness of Pastor L. C. Schwanz and his dedication to praying and seeking God's will was instrumental in our growth in grace and our working toward Christlike maturity and the hope that lies within us.

Judy is still a vital part of the music ministry in the Bend, Oregon, Nazarene Church, a teacher in Women's Ministries, and a mentor to other women. I recently headed up a major church building remodel, am a member of the Oregon Pacific District Advisory Board, am active on the District Camping Board, and was selected as Faithful Layman of the District at the last assembly.

L. C. Schwanz went to be with his Master on March 20, 2010. His children all serve Christ in the church today. Many others, as well, can attest to this man's genuine touch of love and care for them. To God be the glory for all He has done.

Robert C. Bender is a layperson from Bend, Oregon, who has been involved in the Church of the Nazarene on the local, district, and regional levels.

Holiness Today

Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.