Staff Profile: Jared “Shock ‘n Awww” Schuler

We recently sat down with Jared Schuler to hear more about his nearly 15 years at Pine Cove, his journey through different seasons of ministry, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. From his favorite Pine Cove memories to his passion for discipleship and developing future leaders, Jared offers thoughtful insight into the people and experiences that have shaped his life and ministry. His answers are full of wisdom, humor, and encouragement, and we hope you’ll enjoy getting to know Jared and leave encouraged by his story and perspective.

How did you first get connected to Pine Cove, and what roles have you held over the years?

I first got connected to Pine Cove through my friend Chris Boddy. He reached out back in 2011 about an opening for the director of Crier Creek family camp in Columbus, Texas. I had recently finished seminary and my wife and I talked about the possibility of moving if the Lord were to lead us somewhere new. Through conversations with Craig Langemeier and Reed Livesay, it became evident that this was the next season of life and ministry for the Schuler family! I have been at Pine Cove for almost 15 years now and I’ve served as the Director of Crier Creek, Executive Director for Central Texas, Forge Director, and now my title is Vice President of Forge and City. I currently help oversee our leadership development program and our traveling camp ministry.

What is your camp name, and how did you get it?

My camp name is Shock ‘n Awww. My first name game experience was at our full-time staff retreat and I had never seen the name game before, so it was definitely a wild experience. At that point, we had a two-year-old daughter, twin one-year-old daughters, and my wife, Heather, was pregnant with our son. They said that all of my cute children made them say “awww.” They also asked me about an embarrassing moment from my college basketball days. I played at a small school in Indiana and our coach made us wear very short practice shorts (and this was in the era when knee-length shorts were in). One day, we had to scrimmage at another school in our practice uniforms and the opposing student body heckled us the entire game for our short shorts. The guy who named me said it would be shocking to see my thighs in those shorts. Finally, they asked me how I proposed to my wife. I planned the proposal on her birthday and I also planned a surprise birthday party for her. After we got engaged, we were driving back to the surprise party and I told her that all of her close friends and family members were waiting for what they thought was a surprise birthday party, but we were actually going to surprise them with our engagement. They said this was a shocking turn of events! Put those things together and my camp name is “Shock ‘n Awww,” but I usually just go by “Shock.” 

What led you to become involved with Pine Cove Forge, and how has the program shaped your life and ministry? 

About 10 years ago, my wife and I were able to join the Forge on the annual trip to Israel as participants. When we returned home, we both had the passing thought that we would love to work for the Forge if there was ever an opportunity. I did a similar program when I graduated from college, and I’ve always had a passion for teaching and discipleship. Well, about a month after that trip, the Forge Director, Matt Lantz, announced that he was leaving Pine Cove to work at a church in Fort Worth. I interviewed for the position a few weeks later and I was hired in May of 2017. This role has had a huge impact on my life and ministry. I love teaching and equipping people to understand their unique identity, and I’m passionate about helping others understand the Bible so that they read it for the rest of their lives. I believe I have the best job in the world!

What is a site on the Israel/Turkey trip that you always look forward to?

Is it a cop out to say all of them? People always ask me what my favorite sites are in Israel and Turkey and I tell them, “You’ll have to come with me and I’ll tell you when we get there!” It’s hard to articulate how impactful it is to walk where Jesus walked, to see things that Jesus saw and to teach where Jesus taught. And most of the New Testament was written either in, to, or from modern-day Turkey. Both of these trips are transformational and worth the sacrifice it takes to go!

You spent time directing Crier Creek in Columbus. What was that season of ministry like, and what are some of your favorite memories from your time there?

I once heard Jim Gaffigan say that having your fourth child is like you’re drowning and then someone hands you a baby! Our fourth child was born on the second day of camp during our first summer! We had four kids in diapers that summer and we were living in a new city, with a new job, a new church, and a new community. Those were some really challenging, yet really wonderful years. My wife and I grew together so much during those years. My favorite memories are with the people that I worked with in Central Texas. We had a small but really talented team of people, and we were like one big family. 

Tell us about your family.

I’ve been married to Heather for 20 years! She is faithful, supportive, loyal, and the glue that holds our family together. This summer we got to spend a week in NYC together, celebrating our anniversary. We have four kids and they’re all in high school! Avery is starting her senior year, Hannah and Lily are sophomores and they’ll get their driver’s licenses in October, and Hudson is a freshman. We also have a Covid baby—his name is Boomer and he’s a six-year-old Golden Retriever. And I guess I should tell you that a neighborhood cat has adopted us—we call him Kitty.

How did you and Heather meet? We’ve heard you used to plan elaborate dates for Heather. What are some standout dates you planned?

Heather and I met in Jackson, Tennessee. I moved there to work as a dorm director at Union University and she was finishing up her last year of nursing school. I actually had to get special permission from the president of Union to date her since I was on staff and she was a student, even though I’m only a couple of years older than she is. I love getting a group of guys together to collaborate on elaborate dates with our wives. Over the years, these have included numerous themes with scavenger hunts, a flight on a private plane, a trip to Royer’s Pie Cafe in Round Top in an extra stretched Hummer Limousine, and the transformation of a church bus into the “Valentine Express.” 

You’ve worked with Chris Boddy for many years. How has your friendship grown through your years together at Pine Cove?

Chris and I have been close friends for 28 years. He is one of the greatest gifts God has ever given me. I can’t even put into words how big of an impact he has had on my life. Chris creates and cultivates fun wherever he is, and he leads with humility, passion and depth. Working together at Pine Cove has been a huge blessing! We don’t get as much time together as we would like, but I love when we get to partner together in ministry.

What is something you are especially excited for in the Forge and Pine Cove City this year?

I’m really excited to be in year two of our new residency model! The Forge was created in 2005, but we did a lot of work and preparation over the last two and a half years to develop and launch a new version of the program. This past year was highly successful, and I’m looking forward to making minor tweaks this year to make it even more excellent. 

You’re currently working toward your doctorate. What are you studying, and what led you to pursue that? 

I’m currently working on a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership from Southeastern Seminary. I’m passionate about developing and training the next generation of leaders and I love learning. These two factors have led me to pursue this degree! I’m really interested in exploring the topic of residencies and using a biblical model of apprenticeship to train, prepare, and equip future leaders.

As you look back on your years with Pine Cove, what is one lesson or truth that you hope to carry with you for the rest of your life?

One of the most notable sayings at Pine Cove is, “It’s not about you!” This is a really simple way of confirming the many biblical lessons on humility. For 60 years, Pine Cove has been led by countless faithful men and women, most of whom I’ve never met or heard of. We have had tens of thousands of college students who have served wholeheartedly and selflessly and I don’t know most of them. One day soon, people at Pine Cove won’t know my name and they won’t remember me, but that’s the beauty of ministry. We don’t labor to make our name known, but we proclaim the name of Christ. And at His name, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord!