Steve is a San Diego native. He attended Christ Lutheran School La Mesa, Helix High School, and Concordia University Irvine (Director of Christian Education, 1984). He earned a Master of Science in Family Life Ministry from Concordia University Nebraska (2007).

Cindy is a Paso Robles, CA native. She attended Trinity Lutheran School, Paso Robles High School, and Concordia University Portland (Director of Christian Education, 1983). She earned a Master of Arts in Reformation Studies from Concordia University Irvine, CA (2002).

Steve & Cindy connected over the years at DCE meetings and their families formed a friendship as Steve and his family traveled to Paso Robles wine country on weekend get-a-ways. Friday afternoons of the third weekend of March, beginning in 2011, Steve, Joyce, and the Schedler family walked through the Steinbeck tasting room doors to enjoy wine, stories, and conversation.

In 2015 Steve invited Cindy to speak at the April 2016 St. Paul’s Pacific Beach women’s retreat. Cindy enthusiastically accepted. Steve’s wife Joyce and daughter Jennifer attended the retreat, providing opportunities for further rich connection.

Joyce was diagnosed with leukemia in July of that year. Steve and Joyce journeyed together through treatment, holding high hopes for healing and a long retirement together. In November Joyce received a bone marrow transplant, furthering their hopes for recovery. In that same month, Joyce’s body gave up her valiant fight and Joyce met Jesus face to face. Steve grieved deeply over the loss of his wife and the dreams they shared.

Cindy’s journey back home to Paso Robles took place in 1997 when she and her family were asked to join the family grape growing operation. In 2003 she founded vineyard educational tours/experiences. In 2006 she and her parents founded Steinbeck Vineyards & Winery. Cindy & her former husband worked together in the family business until their relationship ended in divorce in 2011.

Healing came to Cindy through studying the Scriptures, observing the seasons of rest and growth in the vineyard, as well as writing. The Vine Speaks was published by Concordia Publishing House in 2013, The Rock Speaks, and Grapes of Grace in 2016. Cindy self-published Redemption Through Divorce, How Christ Works to Heal Broken Hearts.

For years Cindy prayed that God would provide a strong, kind Godly man as a life partner. As their friendship grew, Cindy began to hope and see that Steve was the man she had prayed for and that God was providing. Courageously, on a long vineyard walk in May of 2020, Cindy shared her heart. Steve began to allow his broken, but healing heart, to see the possibility for love and life with Cindy, now a close friend and one whom he had allowed grieve his deep loss with him. Their journey as a couple began in August 2020. They married in February 2021.

Just prior to marrying, Cindy was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Thankfully, medication and a stem cell transplant in October 2022 led to healing. Their challenges of walking together through this illness has added another layer to their story! Their redemption stories inspire others to lean into pain, not run from it. Their message speaks God’s work in and through our stories, not apart from them. Their lives are the testimony of God’s rich mercy. They embody the continual learning, rest, and growth as they cherish life together and encourage others.

The two enjoy life, calling Paso Robles home while keeping their San Diego home. Steve retired after serving as a DCE for 39 years. The old ranch house in Steinbeck Vineyards is their primary home while traveling south regularly to worship with their St. Paul’s family and tend to their San Diego home. Their families include Steve’s two children, Cindy’s two children, their spouses, and five grandchildren.

Voice in the Vineyard Ministries is a non-profit through which Steve & Cindy will carry out their vision of service to church leaders.