Remembering Ray Huebschman
Ray Huebschman helped to create a legacy by bringing Worship Anew (then “Worship for Shut-Ins”) to Fort Wayne, Ind., and revitalizing the ministry into what it is today.
We join in prayers for the family of Ray Huebschman who was welcomed into his heavenly home on May 11.
“I was truly touched by Ray’s deep love for the Lord and his unwavering support for this ministry, which we’re still doing today. I’m so thankful for the legacy he leaves behind,” shared Matthew Leighty, Worship Anew’s current executive director.
In 1980, Huebschman was the minister of education at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. Alongside Senior Pastor Jim Stalder and Associate Pastor John Westra, he helped to re-establish “Worship for Shut-Ins” after the passing of the original founder, the Rev. Oswald Henry Bertram.
Huebschman produced and directed the program for five years and served as our first executive director.
“The challenges that we faced in getting the program going again were not tremendous hurdles. One really got a feeling that the Lord was operating this whole system because everything was falling together,” Huebschman shared in a 2014 interview.
Prior to his work at Holy Cross and Worship for Shut-Ins, Huebschman served in the U.S. Navy Reserve and spent many years as a high school teacher. He earned his master’s degree and a Doctorate of Educational Technology. Following his time at Worship for Shut-Ins and Holy Cross, he worked at Concordia University, Seward, Neb., as the media director and dean of information technology.
After his retirement, he and his wife continued to share the Gospel through Worship Anew resources in their community in Nebraska as well as evangelism outreach in Alaska and Indonesia.
Huebschman was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Dorothea, in 2024. He is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
We, at Worship Anew, are so thankful for Ray Huebschman for his work in establishing this ministry, his service to the program, and his ongoing support. His family is in our hearts and prayers. He will be dearly missed.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” ~ Matthew 25:21a