Steve grew up in Kansas in a pastor’s home. He graduated from Chanute High School in Chanute, Kansas, and went to Oklahoma Wesleyan University. During his freshman year at college, he felt God calling him into full-time ministry seeing Isaiah 6:8 as a calling for him. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Here am I. Send me.”

After graduating from college, he was a youth pastor at Rapid City, SD New Life Wesleyan Church from 1995-2000 and then served as youth pastor at Linwood Wesleyan Church in Sioux Falls, SD from 2000-2008. In 2008, he and his family moved to Rapid City to accept the role as Senior Pastor of First Wesleyan Church.

In 2000, Steve met his wife Manel, who grew up in Lincoln, NE and he was blessed that she said yes to his proposal! They are privileged to have four children – Bennett, Millie, Hudson, and Nia. What a blessing they are! Steve likes to run and play basketball, enjoys ice cream, Dr. Pepper, and Kool-Aid.

You can probably find him involved with his family playing a game, playing basketball, soccer, running or any other activity. As a family, they like to hike wherever in the Black Hills, spend time with family, or enjoy a time together.