Who am I?
My name is Debra Schlobohm. I am a life-long Kansas native and have lived in Shawnee for over 25 years. My family and I worship and serve at Antioch Church in Overland Park, KS. We are very involved in the marriage ministry there. I have been married to my husband, Wes, for twelve years in September 2016. We are very proud of our daughter, Samantha Stultz, and son, Connor Stultz, who are both amazing young adults. Sam is a KU grad and loves being an event web designer at Bishop-McCann. Connor is a nursing student at the University of St. Mary and is excitedly looking forward to becoming a NICU nurse. We are so blessed to know that both of them have personal relationships with Jesus Christ and actively participate at Westside Family Church and in small groups to grow in their faith and develop strong friendships with like-minded believers. Getting to serve with my daughter on Kansas City Tres Dias encounter weekends is one of my favorite things!
I have been blessed professionally to have over fifteen years’ experience in healthcare administration and professional education at amazing organizations including Marion Merrell Dow and the University of Kansas Hospital. I am currently the Department Manager of the Center for Child Health and Development within the University of Kansas Medical Center. I also have ten years of experience as a small business entrepreneur. My husband and I worked together for several years, but the love of healthcare and making a difference in patients’ lives drew me back to KUMC. It is exciting to be part of such a dynamic and respected organization that is committed to innovation, research and education. One of the most rewarding things I have ever done has been the opportunity to establish a local Tres Dias community. Seeing the amazing things that God can do when we say “yes” has been incredible! Giving men and women the opportunity to grow closer to God and gain new revelation of His lavish love for them is indescribable. I am honored to serve as the current President of Kansas City Tres Dias.
We all seem to live very rich and full lives. Our schedules are busy with careers, ministry, reunion groups and other commitments. When I do find some precious free time, I love to spend it with my family and friends. A quiet evening at home playing a board game or watching a movie with the kids is a rare treat! You will regularly find Wes and I at home with a dozen or so of our friends having dinner, discussing marriage or sharing a Bible study. Several times a year, I am blessed to have other brothers and sisters in Christ from Tres Dias communities all over the country stay with us. I just love how instant friendships develop when you get to know fellow TD Pescadores! I belong to two reunion groups and for the last six years, hosted a life group for friends from our church. I am a life-long learner and love to read, travel, walk along the beach and share long conversations with my girlfriends. Music inspires and regenerates me. I love singing along to contemporary praise and worship songs. My perfect day is sunny and 80 degrees with the sound of the waves and swaying palm trees. I am a big fan of fresh flowers and love too many to have a favorite – De Colores and fragrant is best! Chocolate is my friend and I make a mean chocolate pie. Warm, soft, white bread fresh from the oven is my biggest temptation. I see more sunsets than sunrises, but I admire them both. I often wonder how beautiful heaven must be as it shines with the glory of God himself. What a beautiful sight that must be!
What was my Tres Dias Experience?
I went through NTTD #47 in October 2010, where I sat at the Table of Rebekah. For me, that experience was life-changing! I often say, “If there was one gift I could give everyone I meet, it would be the gift of a Tres Dias weekend.” I was at a very low point in my life and most areas of my life were in chaos and crisis. My marriage was failing, our business was in trouble, our children were unhappy, and my self-confidence and self-esteem were non-existent. I felt disillusioned, depressed, desperate, afraid, unloved and alone. I went to the Weekend because my husband and daughter had gone through in July 2010 and they both came home changed. Even though I had watched their transformation, I still wasn’t really excited about going to Dallas. I worried things had been bad for so long that this new way of living wouldn’t last. I went with no expectations, but a determination to keep an open mind. The only thing I asked of God was could He find a way to give me my joy back. That was all God needed! I will admit, on Thursday night I was wondering what in the world I had gotten myself into when that room full of strangers began standing on their chairs and started shouting out some crazy song. Then, I misunderstood and thought the “silent retreat” was going to last all weekend. I could not imagine what Sam and Wes had enjoyed about this weird experience. The next morning I was quite relieved when they announced during chapel that the silence was over!
God began working with me right from the start on Friday morning. As we lined up and waited for our table assignments, I said I would sit anywhere but at the Table of Rebekah. Immediately, I knew that was exactly where He was going to place me. Sure enough – I was right. I had no idea He was going to take such a painful name and turn it into a celebration as I continue to meet many beautiful Rebekah sisters at almost every Tres Dias event. On Saturday night, when the Army of God surrounded us and turned their backs to kneel and pray for us, I knew they were not there with any hidden agenda or personal motive. It was not about me or them – it was all for HIM. It was the first time in whole life I felt truly safe. Later, in the forgiveness chapel that night, I nailed every single thing I had been carrying around to that cross. Just when I thought there couldn’t be one more thing, a team member stepped forward in the place of the “mistress who stole your husband and destroyed your family.” She asked for forgiveness. I couldn’t be that; but I sure wasn’t going to carry that “Rebekah” around anymore. Back to the cross I went!
When I tell people about Tres Dias, I often share that short of my salvation, the gift of my TD weekend was the best thing that ever happened to me. God revealed an area in my heart and mind that needed healing that I didn’t even know was broken. He assured me, “I was already more than enough. I could stop trying to make Him love me.” He gave me new revelation of His unconditional, personal knowledge, acceptance and love for me – just as I was. I was not “broken and worthless” to Him. Prior to the Weekend, I had the “head” knowledge of God’s love. Now, I enjoy the personal experience and priceless freedom of LIVING IN HIS LOVE! When I went to NTTD #47, I hated myself and did not even recognize the stranger I saw in the mirror. Today, I have learned to accept this less than perfect me and to give myself the grace I give others. I have learned it is ok to say no sometimes and I am learning to love and value myself. This new freedom has given me the ability to love and serve others at a deeper and more unconditional level. I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Why do I serve on the KCTD Board?
Serving on the KCTD Board is one of the things I enjoy most! The vision of KCTD is to develop a community of Bible-based, Christ-centered, Spirit-filled, Christian servant leaders, who prayerfully carryout the Great Commission and model Jesus for the glory of God the Father. God is bringing so many quality people to this community with many varied talents and abilities! We are blessed with strong faithful men of God as our Spiritual Directors who cover us in prayer keep us grounded in the Word. The Board directors are all very committed and united in their passion and love for God and His body. They are faithful in their service during the KCTD Weekends and attendance of Board meetings, Secuelas and reunion groups. Each of them give generously of their time, talents, experience and treasure. We share the common values of excellence, open-mindedness, inclusion, freedom, love, and communication. By serving together, we continue to grow in our own piety, study and action and remain determined to provide a firm foundation for the future Boards who will lead after us. 
We truly care about this community of believers and have only one agenda – that KCTD remain all about Him, all from Him and all for Him! We each get to play our small part and then watch God do such amazing life-changing transformation in marriages, families, and individual lives. Those fellow Pescadores then take the gift to others in their families, churches and communities. Through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit, we are blessed to be legacy changers and destiny makers. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that!
Debra Schlobohm
Chairman
