Bruce A. Overstreet:
CLASS OF 1974
North Central High SchoolClass of 1974
Indianapolis, IN
Bruce A.'s Story
Overall, the fifty years since graduating from good old NCHS have been filled with many joyful events and experiences. Of course, there have also been challenges along the way. After laying out a year after graduation I entered as a music voice major at Butler University. Then after two years I changed my major and graduated with a B.A. in public speaking in 1979. While at Butler I was very involved with Campus Crusade for Christ (Now CRU). This is how I met Sheryl Allis a 1977 graduate of NCHS and Butler 1980. In December of 1979 we made it official and have enjoyed now nearly 45 years together. Upon graduation from Butler, I went on staff locally with Youth for Christ and served in ministry with various High Schools in the Indianapolis area for two years (1979-1981).
In the Fall of 1981 we moved to Deerfield, IL (near Chicago) where I began my Master of Divinity studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Seminary) graduating in 1984. I was then licensed (ordained 1986) with the Christian & Missionary Alliance with whom I have served for 40 years. We lived on the west side of Indianapolis and started a church there. Our first two sons were born in Indianapolis. We then moved to Dayton, OH where I served on staff four years at Hillside Chapel. Our only daughter was born in Dayton. After four years in Ohio, we were asked to come to Plattsburgh, NY. Where we lived for nearly 21 years. where are our third son was born.
In early 2008 I began doctoral studies at Denver Seminary graduating in 2013.
8 grandchildren 4 boys 4 girls all currently living somewhere in the U.S. We have resided in Indiana, IL, OH, NY, PA, ND, CO, occasionally parts of Africa, So. America, Korea & we currently reside in Virginia where we plan to retire. I have enjoyed being a pastor/minister for most of my life. I now consider myself not quite wanting to retire as we now enjoy serving churches that are in pastoral transition.
My main hobby or sport has been bicycling. I even enjoyed some amateur racing for a few years. A major highlight came in 2008 when I had the opportunity to bicycle (4135 miles 53 days - CA to ME) across the U.S. (90+% solo). This was my idea of a great sabbatical. I like to think I could do it again. But Sheryl does not want to encourage or "enable" such optimism - Lol. But it sure was a fun couple of months. During this ride we raised funds for the expansion of a new women & children's hospital in Koutiala, Mali, West Africa. I had the privilege of bicycling across Mali too. Truly, a surreal experience. Having also visited Kenya and Liberia as well I truly came to love the wonderful people of each of these countries. The folks of Mali welcomed me by giving me a Bambara name Jiddiba Jara. Sheryl and I have visited several countries together in conjunction with ministry as well. It seems the Lord has always allowed us to see the lovable qualities in each person we meet. We praise the Lord Jesus for each one.
Of course we are very thankful for our children and grandchildren. Our daughter lives nearby. Our sons all live in other states and sometimes other countries too. So, we see the...Expand for more
m in person less often but very much appreciate the technology that allows us to keep in touch with them remotely. We have met so very, many people over the years and attempt to keep in touch with quite a few.
It is interesting to me that people I knew at Spring Mill elementary & Northview Jr. High still come to mind and I wonder how those folks are doing. Sadly, but realistically more than a few are no longer with us beginning with several who lost their lives before H.S. graduation. Obviously, most of those whom I knew at Spring Mill eventually graduated from NCHS. So many I have hoped to see again. Although our circles widened in Jr. High and H.S. many of those that I remember from those earliest years remain strong in my memory. I do hope to see and speak with at least a few of them this September at our 50th reunion.
Of all my life experiences, none has impacted me more than a decision I made to receive and follow Jesus during my Freshman (H.S.) year. Though at that point I had some catching up to do academically, my life and sense of purpose really began to come together at that time. It had been so very hard for me to focus during school when I was very young. Even in elementary school I had questioned the purpose and meaning of life. But as the answer to that question became clear to me it became easier to focus both in the classroom and private study etc. It also became very enjoyable.
The Lord did call me to ministry when I was a H.S. Senior. but I doubted I could get through college given my past, much less graduate school. But things went quite well thanks to the Lord Jesus. He truly changed my life and surfaced abilities he had given to me that I didn't know were there.
Obviously, a great highlight and blessing came when I met Sheryl Allis at Butler U. We realized that God had brought us together. We have enjoyed walking with Jesus ever since. We have both very much enjoyed serving and working in the church context etc.
The Lord gave us 4 children as already mentioned. They have each embarked on individual paths which have placed them in four different states. And of course, each of the grandchildren have been a joy and a blessing. Time goes by quickly as I am sure our whole class realizes now. I remember parents and grandparents saying such things when I was a kid. They were right.
In over 40 years as a pastor, I have had the privilege of serving several churches, serving longest (21 years) in a lovely church in the North Country of New York state. Of all the states I would not have picked would have been New York. Being in the city is not my favorite. Like other mid-westerners, I could only imagine concrete, asphalt and zillions of cars. So, when we drove to Plattsburgh, we were pleasantly surprised. Set in a beautiful region of NY it turned out to be a perfect place to raise our family. The Adirondacks were in our back yard. So, our sons and I enjoyed backpacking trips. All the kids learned to learned to ski while very young. One also took up snowboarding. It was beautiful country near the beautiful mountains of NY and Vermont, Quebec just 20 miles to the north.
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