In Honor of Pastor John

Our beloved Pastor John “PJ” August Schmeling, Jr. went to be with our Lord on April 24, 2022, on Kauai, surrounded by his family.

Born on September 20, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy Claire Schmeling, Pastor John is survived by Shannon, his wife of 30 years.

Pastor John graduated from Washington High School in 1966 and spent a year in the Forestry program at Steven’s Point because he initially thought he wanted to be a professional tree hugger.

In 1971 when Pastor John was a 24-year-old hippie, he gave his life to Jesus. Two weeks later the Lord spoke to him audibly while he was walking in a Wisconsin snowstorm, saying: “you’re leaving in two weeks.” Even though he didn’t know WHERE he was going, he acted on that command. Ending up in Los Angeles, John survived the San Fernando earthquake of February 9, 1971. Shortly after that Pastor John found employment at the first waterbed factory on earth and went back to Milwaukee that Fall to begin his foray into the business world.

Pastor John founded Groundwater Water Beds in 1972 with the first store on Brady Street in Milwaukee. Eventually there were sixteen furniture stores across the state of WI: six corporate stores and 10 franchised locations.

Groundwater’s slogan: We Never Soaked Nobody!

While he was running his company, the Lord told Pastor John to start a Teen Challenge center. From 1981-1986 he and his team operated a street ministry to the residents and gangs of Milwaukee’s inner city. He often remarked that experience was the most fun he had ever had.

In 1987, after receiving several prophetic words on the subject, Pastor John retired from being a businessman at 39 years of age and sold the Groundwater Waterbed Company. John moved his family to the North Shore of Kauai, Hawaii and it was there that he founded Lighthouse Christian Fellowship in 1989.

Through the years, Pastor John faced challenges just like everyone else, however he never wavered in his faith in Jesus Christ! He never hesitated to share stories and testimonies from his life to build the faith of others.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
- Revelation 12:11

Pastor John had a passion for Christ and a heart for people. His desire was to help set people free and his ministry focused on deliverance (John 8:36), healing the broken heart (Luke 4:18), and the revelation of righteousness through Jesus Christ (II Cor. 5:21). He never met a stranger and touched lives wherever he went. We know he continues to do this in Glory. Pastor John is doing what he’s always done – he has just changed locations!

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the Righteous Judge will award me on that day.”
- 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Pastor Shannon, Pastor Kahala and the team are carrying on the ministry here at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship.