Greg Schatz, a native of Defiance, Ohio, pursued an education in fine arts. He graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics from Bowling Green State University. Following graduation, Greg married his high school sweetheart Kate. They moved to Nashville, IN to establish a home and pottery studio in the beautiful hills of Brown County, IN. While Greg established his pottery business and Kate established her career in high school education, their family grew. They were blessed with the birth of their son, Greyson, in 2003, and daughter, Romy, in 2005. Their family grew unexpected once again in 2010 with the adoption of a teenager; Jennifer. Family is important to the Schatz’s and they love spending time camping, biking, and snuggling up for a movie.
The Schatz’s faith in Jesus grew over the years. They started seeking the Lord more and more, drawn by this amazing love that He has for us. As they grew in this love that God had for them, they began looking for ways to serve Him. Greg saw his travels to art festivals as mission opportunities, and Kate saw the public school where she taught as her mission field.
In 2010, Greg felt the Lord leading him into ministry. The church that the Schatz’s attended was seeking a Director of Christian Education. Greg shared how God had been moving in his heart and life to pursue ministry. Greg was hired as the Director of Christian Education and enrolled in the online DCE program at Concordia University, St. Paul. Greg graduated in 2012 and transitioned from a contracted position to a called and commissioned DCE. After serving in Indiana for 4 ½ years, Greg began seeking a call elsewhere. In seeking a mission-minded, contemporary church to use his gifts and passions, the Lord led him to 1C Church in Columbus, NE. Greg was installed as the Director of Discipleship at 1C on July 10th, 2016.
Greg finds the symbolism of God being our Potter and us being the clay (Isaiah 64:8) intriguing, as the Lord has shaped him to be a useful vessel for sharing the gospel. While enjoying how God uses him to help shape the faith of others, Greg still enjoys shaping clay into functional pottery. While Greg enjoys the work of shaping people and pottery, the Schatz’s have also enjoyed the move from being Hoosiers to being Huskers. The Schatz’s are excited about their new church home, ministry, friends, and the people and community of Columbus.