By Chris Yow
Editor
Trussville residents Pat and Karen Schlatzline have been ministering across the globe for almost 20 years, and Pat has written a total of three books helping others and ministering to many who may not have any background in churches or the Bible. Karen has just written her first book, set for release in September.
Pat recently released his latest work “Unqualified” on June 2, and the website for the book gives a little background into what readers can expect from the work.
The website states on its homepage, “Maybe you have a tainted past. You let yourself get pulled into promiscuity, drugs, sabotage, or theft. Maybe you’ve never had any of these major struggles, but you still battle insecurity. You can’t imagine God would ever use you! You’re completely unqualified. But the truth is God wants to use you exactly where you are because you are unqualified.”
Pat stated he wrote the book to minister not only to Christians who feel unworthy of being used by God, but even to unbelievers who feel like all hope is lost.
“This book is about the fear of feeling unqualified,” Pat said. “It’s for anyone who has ever felt like they were not good enough for God to use.
“No matter your history or what you’ve done, God can use you.”
Within the book, Pat shares his personal stories, as well as stories from the Bible to prove anyone can be a vessel. His stories and those from the Bible show the ability of God to use anyone throughout the book.
Currently, Pat is travelling the world speaking and teaching, and has found the book to be popular almost everywhere he’s gone.
“I have highly successful pastors who have told me the book lifted the burden of feeling unqualified from them,” Pat said.
Karen now joins Pat as an author as her first book “Dehydrated” will be released officially Sept. 1.
Karen never really planned to write a book, but she said the calling of God and a phone call from a publisher changed her mind.
“God had been dealing with me for a long time, and one night I really felt Him saying ‘It’s time.’ Maybe three days later I got a call from (the publisher) saying they wanted me to write a book,” she said.
The book tells a story of how to continuously look to Jesus for strength and to be fulfilled just as the woman at the well in the Bible story.
“The Bible says that we are to produce fruit in season and out of season. We can only do that if our roots grow deep enough to reach the life-giving water and store up that water regardless of whether or not we are in a season of drought,” the book’s website says.
“Everywhere I went speaking, I kept hearing how life had dehydrated people. How it had taken their joy away and they didn’t have energy,” Karen said. “So I wanted to help those people who felt like they were empty.”
Pat praised the book, even going as far to say he believes it is better than any of his three works to date.
Having Pat around was very helpful for the new author, as he was able to help Karen throughout the process.
“Pat was with me every step of the way,” Karen said. “I often say I would never have been able to do this without him.”
Both Karen and Pat are full time evangelists, and they recently started an online school for those who feel called to share the Word, but can’t go to a normal school or seminary.
Karen is holding a release at Daystar Church for “Dehydrated” on Sept. 6 with a book signing.