Pour Out Blessing
I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t be able to take it all in…Malachi 3:10
If you’ve been to a second service since 2020, in the old or the new Church in the Pines buildings, or attended Andrew’s prayer meetings or other wild classes like those facilitated by Neil and Ruth Theilke, or Louie and Aggie Sande, you most likely have run across Pete and Theresa Lukes. These two have been married 49 years and are home town icons in Alexandria. They met at Skelly’s truck stop- for those who remember that hangout from back in the day. Theresa was 16 and Pete was umm… well… older. Sounds like love at first sight to hear them tell the story but that is not what this tale of profound heartfelt gratitude is about.
Both Pete and Theresa were born into large families. Pete’s mom had a rare disease called “Brittle Bone Disease,” or “Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)”. OI is a genetic mutation that affects the body’s ability to make strong bones. Although much of her life was spent in a wheelchair, Pete’s mom was told that she could have healthy children yet three of her kids have “OI” and Pete was one of them. Because of “OI”, Pete’s life has consisted of occasions where his bones break for no reason at all, that is without any physical trauma. Pete acknowledges that he has had several hundred broken bones and some breaks are much more painful than others and some breaks take a long time to heal. Over the years Pete went from walking to crutches and now to a motorized scooter.
Throughout their life together Pete performed autobody and mechanic work and Theresa was a homemaker and IT whiz for two local companies. Pete drove a van that had a wheelchair /scooter carrier attachment on the back. He would lift himself into the driver’s seat of the van from his scooter and someone would attach the scooter onto the carrier on back of the van. This process has worked for many years for daily trips and vacations.
Throughout the years, you rarely heard Pete complain about his condition but would instead hear him talk about living his life “in the Spirit” and what that means and where it has taken him. Since being born again, Pete embodies Joel 2:28, “ And afterward I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy; your old men will dream dreams and young men will see visions.” These gifts trumps Pete’s illness as he enjoys telling his testimony to friends and strangers, (Pete will have to tell you the stories himself). Pete embraces these spiritual gifts and gives the Lord the glory.
In the spring of 2025, some vertebrae in Pete’s spine became fractured and a couple different vertebra broke two times. Twice Theresa called 911 and had an ambulance transport Pete to the hospital on a gurney due to the excruciating pain. Pete’s van was no longer an option because he could not lift himself into the driver’s seat, so when it was time to be discharged from the hospital there was no transportation available to get Pete home due to the necessity of transporting him on a gurney or scooter, and the hour was too late for Rainbow Rider. Theresa drove Pete’s van with the attached scooter to the hospital and Pete had to drive his scooter home on the sidewalks with Theresa following close behind. Both were grateful for clear weather and the medication received at the hospital which helped with pain during his venture home.
After the two spine fractures occurred Pete was unable to attend Pines. Folks kept asking Theresa how he was feeling and when he would be back. Pete was not doing well and he missed the church body and the body missed him. Theresa’s dear friend Trina , a Proverbs 17:17 “friend who loves at all times”, and her husband Greg Sandeno, from New Testament Church in Alexandria, where Theresa and Pete attended for 20 years before Pines, kept asking what they could do to help.” They were besides themselves in what was happening to Pete and the lack of transportation for Pete and the stress it placed on Theresa. The Sandenos came up with the idea of a different van that would allow Pete to be lifted into the van and possibly drive it. This seemed like a pipe dream. Trina then approached Theresa about utilizing the Christian based crowdfunding platform “GiveSendGo” for a van. After prayer the Lukes decided to give their consent.
The Sandenos made an announcement one Sunday at New Testament Church about Pete’s “GiveSendGo” fund raiser. Bill Jarvi, who attends New Testament heard the announcement and contacted Trina and Greg and stated he’d like to sponsor the fundraiser at his Common Ground Coffee House with soup and dessert. Once the announcement was made at New Testament and Bill offered to donate Common Grounds Coffee House. The event was posted on Facebook and shared 32 times, and the event was presented on the slides in the Pines common area.
A "But God" scenario was working out during this time. Rydell and Gaige Robinson, another Pines family, started a handicap transportation company named “Enroute.” Rydell and Gaige were contacted and agreed to provide rides for Pete and Theresa to the Pines for Sunday services once Pete’s vertebrae started to heal. The joy and laughter in the Pines common area between first and second services on Pete’s first few return Sundays was overwhelming. You could not get near Pete because so many friends had to greet and welcome him home. Leading up to September 28, Theresa was approached by all sorts of people wanting to donate to Pete’s van. Theresa was given envelopes of cash or checks plus friends indicated they were making on-line donations. Theresa began looking for vans between the twin cities and Alexandria. When shopping at a mobility conversion van dealership Theresa discovered they only sold handicapped passenger vans and not handicapped driver vans.
Then another "But God" event occurred. Pines' very own Scott Soderholm told Theresa about a handicap conversation van being sold in Starbuck. It turned out to be a 2014 Sienna Toyota with only 29,000 miles with a side lift and a driver’s seat that accommodated transfer from a wheelchair to seat. The seller was gracious. What a miracle and what a find. The owner stated the brakes and air-conditioner needed some tuning and Pete’s long time buddy Roylie Fischer stated he would donate his time, energy, and parts to repair everything the van needed after he gave the van a good inspection.
Back to the Common Ground party. What a success! Trina and Bill provided soup, bread and Bill sold his yummy specialty coffees. Deb Hinnenkamp (Theresa’s sister), and Pam Gust donated tasty bars and cookies. People came and went throughout the two hours of the event. Theresa determined, after the event, that there was enough money to purchase the van. UNBELIVEABLE!!!! Roylie, true to his word, repaired all issues and delivered the van the day of Pete’s son’s performance in Fiddler on the Roof, at the Andria Theatre. Guess who was the proud driver to that performance.
Since the delivery of the van, all Pete can do is smile as he explains what it means to him to have his freedom back. He can go places by himself and is back meeting with friends and family. When asked what he was thinking during the immobile, painful, broken bone moments, Pete reflects that God is true to his word, “…. The Lord will never leave you or forsake you…” Deuteronomy 31:6.
When Theresa is asked about the events leading up to the van’s purchase, you notice tears forming in her beautiful eyes. She reflects that those who prayed and /or donated to the cause will never know what it means to her and Pete personally. She states that she will never be able to repay those who participated in various ways, but God sees everyone’s generous hearts. She rejoices in her prayers of gratitude for innumerable reasons.
So, when you are at Pines and you see a beautiful white van in the handicapped parking space, know- in your knower - this is no ordinary conversion van. This is a van that brought encouragement and light to the darkest of days and tears of joy to the recipients. Know that the givers of this van, your graciousness and prayers have changed lives, and that the Church body still works miracles.
To Him the glory.
If you’ve been to a second service since 2020, in the old or the new Church in the Pines buildings, or attended Andrew’s prayer meetings or other wild classes like those facilitated by Neil and Ruth Theilke, or Louie and Aggie Sande, you most likely have run across Pete and Theresa Lukes. These two have been married 49 years and are home town icons in Alexandria. They met at Skelly’s truck stop- for those who remember that hangout from back in the day. Theresa was 16 and Pete was umm… well… older. Sounds like love at first sight to hear them tell the story but that is not what this tale of profound heartfelt gratitude is about.
Both Pete and Theresa were born into large families. Pete’s mom had a rare disease called “Brittle Bone Disease,” or “Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)”. OI is a genetic mutation that affects the body’s ability to make strong bones. Although much of her life was spent in a wheelchair, Pete’s mom was told that she could have healthy children yet three of her kids have “OI” and Pete was one of them. Because of “OI”, Pete’s life has consisted of occasions where his bones break for no reason at all, that is without any physical trauma. Pete acknowledges that he has had several hundred broken bones and some breaks are much more painful than others and some breaks take a long time to heal. Over the years Pete went from walking to crutches and now to a motorized scooter.
Throughout their life together Pete performed autobody and mechanic work and Theresa was a homemaker and IT whiz for two local companies. Pete drove a van that had a wheelchair /scooter carrier attachment on the back. He would lift himself into the driver’s seat of the van from his scooter and someone would attach the scooter onto the carrier on back of the van. This process has worked for many years for daily trips and vacations.
Throughout the years, you rarely heard Pete complain about his condition but would instead hear him talk about living his life “in the Spirit” and what that means and where it has taken him. Since being born again, Pete embodies Joel 2:28, “ And afterward I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy; your old men will dream dreams and young men will see visions.” These gifts trumps Pete’s illness as he enjoys telling his testimony to friends and strangers, (Pete will have to tell you the stories himself). Pete embraces these spiritual gifts and gives the Lord the glory.
In the spring of 2025, some vertebrae in Pete’s spine became fractured and a couple different vertebra broke two times. Twice Theresa called 911 and had an ambulance transport Pete to the hospital on a gurney due to the excruciating pain. Pete’s van was no longer an option because he could not lift himself into the driver’s seat, so when it was time to be discharged from the hospital there was no transportation available to get Pete home due to the necessity of transporting him on a gurney or scooter, and the hour was too late for Rainbow Rider. Theresa drove Pete’s van with the attached scooter to the hospital and Pete had to drive his scooter home on the sidewalks with Theresa following close behind. Both were grateful for clear weather and the medication received at the hospital which helped with pain during his venture home.
After the two spine fractures occurred Pete was unable to attend Pines. Folks kept asking Theresa how he was feeling and when he would be back. Pete was not doing well and he missed the church body and the body missed him. Theresa’s dear friend Trina , a Proverbs 17:17 “friend who loves at all times”, and her husband Greg Sandeno, from New Testament Church in Alexandria, where Theresa and Pete attended for 20 years before Pines, kept asking what they could do to help.” They were besides themselves in what was happening to Pete and the lack of transportation for Pete and the stress it placed on Theresa. The Sandenos came up with the idea of a different van that would allow Pete to be lifted into the van and possibly drive it. This seemed like a pipe dream. Trina then approached Theresa about utilizing the Christian based crowdfunding platform “GiveSendGo” for a van. After prayer the Lukes decided to give their consent.
The Sandenos made an announcement one Sunday at New Testament Church about Pete’s “GiveSendGo” fund raiser. Bill Jarvi, who attends New Testament heard the announcement and contacted Trina and Greg and stated he’d like to sponsor the fundraiser at his Common Ground Coffee House with soup and dessert. Once the announcement was made at New Testament and Bill offered to donate Common Grounds Coffee House. The event was posted on Facebook and shared 32 times, and the event was presented on the slides in the Pines common area.
A "But God" scenario was working out during this time. Rydell and Gaige Robinson, another Pines family, started a handicap transportation company named “Enroute.” Rydell and Gaige were contacted and agreed to provide rides for Pete and Theresa to the Pines for Sunday services once Pete’s vertebrae started to heal. The joy and laughter in the Pines common area between first and second services on Pete’s first few return Sundays was overwhelming. You could not get near Pete because so many friends had to greet and welcome him home. Leading up to September 28, Theresa was approached by all sorts of people wanting to donate to Pete’s van. Theresa was given envelopes of cash or checks plus friends indicated they were making on-line donations. Theresa began looking for vans between the twin cities and Alexandria. When shopping at a mobility conversion van dealership Theresa discovered they only sold handicapped passenger vans and not handicapped driver vans.
Then another "But God" event occurred. Pines' very own Scott Soderholm told Theresa about a handicap conversation van being sold in Starbuck. It turned out to be a 2014 Sienna Toyota with only 29,000 miles with a side lift and a driver’s seat that accommodated transfer from a wheelchair to seat. The seller was gracious. What a miracle and what a find. The owner stated the brakes and air-conditioner needed some tuning and Pete’s long time buddy Roylie Fischer stated he would donate his time, energy, and parts to repair everything the van needed after he gave the van a good inspection.
Back to the Common Ground party. What a success! Trina and Bill provided soup, bread and Bill sold his yummy specialty coffees. Deb Hinnenkamp (Theresa’s sister), and Pam Gust donated tasty bars and cookies. People came and went throughout the two hours of the event. Theresa determined, after the event, that there was enough money to purchase the van. UNBELIVEABLE!!!! Roylie, true to his word, repaired all issues and delivered the van the day of Pete’s son’s performance in Fiddler on the Roof, at the Andria Theatre. Guess who was the proud driver to that performance.
Since the delivery of the van, all Pete can do is smile as he explains what it means to him to have his freedom back. He can go places by himself and is back meeting with friends and family. When asked what he was thinking during the immobile, painful, broken bone moments, Pete reflects that God is true to his word, “…. The Lord will never leave you or forsake you…” Deuteronomy 31:6.
When Theresa is asked about the events leading up to the van’s purchase, you notice tears forming in her beautiful eyes. She reflects that those who prayed and /or donated to the cause will never know what it means to her and Pete personally. She states that she will never be able to repay those who participated in various ways, but God sees everyone’s generous hearts. She rejoices in her prayers of gratitude for innumerable reasons.
So, when you are at Pines and you see a beautiful white van in the handicapped parking space, know- in your knower - this is no ordinary conversion van. This is a van that brought encouragement and light to the darkest of days and tears of joy to the recipients. Know that the givers of this van, your graciousness and prayers have changed lives, and that the Church body still works miracles.
To Him the glory.
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