Off the Agenda: Conversations for Building Church Leaders

From March 1989 until June 2003, Steve served as president of Vision New England (formerly known as The Evangelistic Association of New England). He started the Interdependent Church Network, and developed the nationally recognized Healthy Church Initiative, with its “10 Characteristics of a Healthy Church.” His emphasis on servant leadership, spiritual formation, team building, and networking have resulted in a growing prayer movement and healthy interchurch cooperation in the region.

From 1978 to 1989, Steve served in a variety of roles at Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts, including director of junior high ministries, minister to children, minister of Christian education, and associate minister.

Steve was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Christian education and elementary education in 1978 from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. He earned a M.Div. in 1983 from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. He completed his Doctor of Ministry degree in January 2001 at Gordon-Conwell, where he now serves as a member of the D.Min. teaching team. As a part of his new LTi portfolio, he also serves at Gordon-Conwell as the director of the Pierce Center for Disciple Building.

Steve has served on a number of regional and national ministry boards and is currently a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Evangelicals. He is on the Mission America Honorary Advisory Committee, serves on the advisory board of the Center for Urban Ministerial Education of Gordon-Conwell (Boston), and is a member of the Christian Management Association. Steve has previously served as a National Senior Advisor for the National Prayer Committee and as a member of the National Board of Advocates for Concerts of Prayer International.

Steve and his wife, Ruth, have two children, Nathan and Rebekah, and make their home in Lexington, Massachusetts.