Prenkert enjoys life in service to God

“I believe God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to his purpose,” stated Jeanette Prenkert, Wakarusa, quoting Romans 8:28. “My husband died in an accident around the corner from our house in 2009. Our family was devastated until we began to see God’s purpose and realize that we are going to see Kip again in heaven. If he’d have survived, he would have most likely had a brain injury. Being an English teacher, that would have been tragic for both him and us. Now God is caring for him.”

Prenkert grew up at Wakarusa Missionary Church. “If the church doors were open, we were there as a family. We always went to what is now known as Prairie Camp. My mom was a cook there. At Prairie Camp, I asked Jesus into my heart at a children’s meeting when I was about 5.”

Since she was always part of the church, Prenkert didn’t feel like her life changed a great deal when she committed to Christ. “However, when I went to high school, I began to do things that weren’t very godly.”

Between her freshman and sophomore years at Bethel College, she rededicated her life to Jesus Christ. Again, it was at Prairie Camp.

“I went to Bethel College for two years and then transferred to Goshen College to get a degree in home economics. My future husband, Kip, remained a student at Bethel. After he graduated, we were married.”

Prenkert remembers her mother loved Kip from the moment she met him. “Actually, I was dating one of Kip’s friends at the time and invited both men over for dinner at the house. When we were out of earshot, my mother told me I should get to know Kip better.”

She and Kip loved taking the family to church. Their three boys are now very successful adults. Robby is interim vice president for academic services at Bethel University. Jamie is the dean of the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota. After many years in youth ministry, Derry who lives in Wakarusa, is now working for a ministry based out of California called Standing Stone Ministries, where he now ministers to youth pastors.

Prenkert owned Jeanette’s Fabric Boutique for over 34 years. “It was a place where I was able to use my love of sewing to teach a lot of classes, and it gave me opportunities to share God’s love with many, both by example and sharing.” She still helps with ‘Sewing Lover’s Club’ at Calico Point, Goshen.

“I have seven grandchildren I dearly love,” Prenkert said. “I pray as I walk through the woods. I feel like I can focus better that way. Sometimes I’ll take the grandchildren along. I communicate my faith to them in an informal manner. Sometimes it can be as simple as asking them what they learned at church camp that year.” help call

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Since she transferred to Nappanee Missionary Church in 2010, she’s gone on mission trips to Mexico and to the African Gospel Church Baby Center in Kenya. “One of the family trips that sticks out the most to me is when we went to Uganda to pick up my adopted grandson Moses, who is now 14.”

She reads through the Bible every year. “God’s Word has transformed my life.”