During one of our church services, we focused on the scripture Philippians 2:1-11. We learned about what it means to be united with Christ and how we can hope to accomplish the work God has asked us to do in the world. Pastor shared the story of Ted Studebaker, a man who loved peace. This story sits well with me, not only because Ted was a fellow member of our church from the sixties, but also because Ted and I share many similarities, such as, what makes us happy, the place we are both called to serve, his taste in music, working with youth and special needs, which I have been called to do for the last several years… all these things brought a deeper connection to me, relating to his story.
This story was beautiful, because it paints an image of God within this man named Ted, who believed in the power of love, which we could all learn from.
Below are some illustrations and the story from the book ” Ted Studebaker: A Man Who Loved Peace ” by Joy Hofacker Moore and Jim Guenthner.
This is a story about a young man named Ted Studebaker. He grew up in a large farm family of eight children. He was the seventh child born to Stanley and Zelma Studebaker.
Ted had a happy life on his family’s farm. He worked and worked until he would walk on his hands around the yard.
When Ted was eight years old, he learned how to drive a tractor. His head didn’t show over the steering wheel. Excited people kept coming to his parents’ house, saying a tractor was in the fields with no driver!
Horseback riding was exciting to Ted.
Ted’s favorite place to cool off was the farm pond. On a tall branch of a sycamore tree, his brothers had hung a heavy rope. Ted loved to swing over the pond and jump in.
Ted raised calves, chickens, and hogs on the farm.
In the winter, Ted, with his brothers, sisters, and friends, played hockey on the ice for hours at a time.
As a child, Ted was quiet and thoughtful. He paid much attention to what others had to say. He often listened and thought about ideas others had spoken, rather than talking very much.
Ted attended the West Milton Church of the Brethren. He was baptized in the family’s pond into this church. He became active in the work of the church.
He enjoyed summer church camps and joined the church’s youth group. The young people organized work camps to help others. Ted had a growing desire to be of service to others, especially to help people learn how to help themselves.
Ted had fun playing his guitar. He liked to sing songs called ballads. Music helped Ted relax.
Ted went to the Milton-Union Schools in West Milton, Ohio. Sports were an important part of Ted’s life. He earned varsity awards in football…
