Who is Teresa Deitch?

When I was asked to write a blog entry for our Ridge website, I thought, “Huh? What do I have to say?” Now, recognize that my husband, Robert, would probably tell you I have A LOT to say, but what could I share that my Ridge family would actually want to read?! As I’m a new staff member Suzanne Schuknecht, our Director of Communication, suggested that I tell a little about myself in hope that you would get to know me and my heart for connecting people to God and to each other. So, here it goes.

I’m a love child…yes, I was a “happy surprise” to my young parents but more than that I am deeply loved child of God. That’s my primary identity – not Director of Connection, not Wife, not Mom, nor any other Corporate Title I’ve held in the past. I’ve struggled with “Who I Am” as I’ve always known that God existed yet I haven’t always had a relationship with Him. He was more of a “Santa Claus god” who I would pray to when I really messed up or when I needed something “big” in my life. It wasn’t until we started attending the Ridge because my second grader asked, “Why don’t we go to church?”, that I started getting serious about finding out who God was – and who I was IN HIM. In fact, it has been through pivotal “God-moments” through classes such as Alpha and The Emerging Journey that I have realized this intense God love has for ALL of us – and that it is the ONE thing that never fails us. We are to be rooted and established in that love (Eph 3:17) and to know Him and ourselves in it. Don’t misunderstand, I have in NO WAY “arrived”; I’m just comfortable with being a seeking, devoted “work in progress” love child. 

Speaking of love…let me share a little about my family. I’m married to Robert Deitch, who you may have seen and/or heard during worship some Sunday. He’s a Songwriter masquerading as an Information Technologies Project Consultant at Wells Fargo currently. We have two awesome kids. Hailey is 15 and Dawson is 13. Hailey recently “graduated” with the 2012 Walk class and is a quiet, but funny God-girl. Dawson is into anything sports – basketball and baseball are his current faves. My sister, Angel, goes to the Ridge as well and while the rest of my immediate family lives in Cedar Rapids, she is here in Ankeny and is working on her badge as “Super Aunt” to Hailey and Daws.

Truthfully, it is only because I have such a great support system at home that I have been able to pursue this role as Director of Connection. I read recently that your “sweet spot” is where “your deep gladness and the world’s deep need meet”. This role at The Ridge is my sweet spot. It allows me to serve God out of who He has shaped me to be – all about people – nurturing, including, developing and loving on others. In fact, my objective is to enjoy God and love people as I seek to faithfully use my gifts for His glory. In other words, I dig being around others and helping them get closer to God! My favorite saying is, “Go God!” (Think of a huddle on a sports team and the words you say when you break the huddle – yea, “Go God!!”) I like to believe I bring an authentic energy and enthusiasm to the role and my heart for others knowing Jesus. Now, specifically as DoC I’m responsible for our “Entry Points Ministries” such as Starting Point, Connecting Point, and Life Together. The First Impressions teams, Greeting and The Hub, fall under my umbrella as well. I’m also supporting group life involvement and get to use my experience in teaching and corporate training for small groups. BUT…I like to believe my primary role is to live a life of love and help others at PRC do the same.

That’s me. Thanks for reading and please feel free to reach out to me anytime. I’m here to help you connect to this awesome Ridge community God has created to draw us closer to Him. God Bless!