Board Member SpotLight: Lyle Schaap

The closing of doors, the stress of owning a business, the loss of a child, the passing of parents - these are experiences that God has used to shape and mold Lyle over the years. 

Lyle grew up in a Christian home located in Sheldon, IA, as the youngest of four. He graduated from Dordt College where he majored in Business and Accounting. After college, he met Barb through mutual friends. They have been married 35 years and have three children and soon-to-be five grandchildren. Lyle is an elder at Grace PCA Church and enjoys teaching adult Sunday school. 

In 1957, Lyle’s dad opened an RV dealership in Sheldon that today is known as Schaap’s RV Traveland. He quickly expanded into Sioux City, IA, and later started a dealership in Sioux Falls. In 1989, Lyle bought into the business, joining his brother. Throughout the years of owning the business, there have been several difficult seasons, such as during the Gulf War and the recession of 2008. These times have helped Lyle realize that the business belongs to God and is in His control. 

As a young man, Lyle had the privilege of being surrounded by several Christian mentors but he points to a special time and influence in his life while reading “Knowing God” by J.I. Packer. This book challenged Lyle to move from knowledge about God to truly knowing God. 

“Being involved with Kingdom Capital exposes me to a wide variety of ministries in our community and all over the world. It allows an individual like me, to join with fellow Christians to support ministries in a deeper way than I could on my own.” As the Ministry Committee Lead, Lyle works with his team to review ministry requests and thoroughly research these organizations.