Esther and Martha Leuschner lived together in the family home at 1313 South Seventh Street.  The elder of the two, Esther, worked in the registrar’s office at Baylor and in the college Sunday School department at church.  The younger sister, Martha, taught in Waco’s public schools and also worked in the church library.  In 1917, Martha Leuschner joined the fellowship of Seventh & James Baptist Church.  Later, in 1926, Esther joined too.  Both were committed to their work – in and out of the church.

Sometimes, all too rarely, there is a seamlessness to a person’s life.  Sometimes, all too rarely, the spirit of a person shines through whatever they’re doing, whenever they’re doing it.  At work, at home, in church – there’s a wonderful consistency.  That’s the kind of people these sisters were.  Many were blessed who were invited into the warmth of their blue and white kitchen.  How many remember being hailed from the porch as they walked by: “Hey! Just took some cobbler out of the oven.  Why don’t you come on in?”  Some were served the famous Leuschner garlic cheese – others that oh-so-rich coconut cake.  Some just sat in the country blue rockers, rocking back and forth, and coming to better understand hospitality.

The Leuschners’ spirit continues to shine to this day.  Doesn’t it make sense that the rocking chairs were willed to someone who treasured the long talks?  Doesn’t it make sense that the dining room table and chairs were willed to someone who had been fed there so often?  A significant part of their estate was left to their church.  Set aside as a treasured gift, the Leuschner funds provide income to support special Holy Week services and speakers, special missions activities, scholarships for ministry students, the buildings and grounds upkeep, and, especially relevant to the fall, our Leuschner Fall Lecture Series.

Far from consisting of just money, the funds reflect two lifestyles of love lived out seamlessly in many and diverse ways.  They promote times of fellowship – sharing and caring within growing relationships.  They promote times of growth in our understanding of what it means to be a part of a community of faith – what it means to live a life called Christian.

Past Leuschner Lecturers:
1987 – Margaret & Dr. Dan Via
1988 – Dr. C.W. Christian
1989 – Dr. Fisher Humphreys
1990 – Dr. Dale Moody
1991 – Dr. Nancy T. Ammerman
1992 – Dr. Walter Philip Wink
1993 – Dr. Myron Madden
1994 – Judith L. Lester & Dr. Andrew D. Lester
1995 – Dr. C. Anne Davis
1996 – Dr. Paul Simmons
1997 – Dr. Denton Lotz
1998 – Dr. Tex Sample
1999 – Dr. Justo Gonzalez
2000 – Dr. Nora Tubbs Tisdale & Dr. Marc H. Ellis
2001 – Dr. Wade G. Rowatt
2002 – Dr. Frank Tupper
2003 – Robert Flynn
2004 – Dr. Glenn McGee
2005 – Suzii Paynter and Kathy Miller
2006 - E. Glenn Hinson
2007 - Dr. Tom Graves
2008 - Dr. Nancy T. Ammerman