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My Churches

The Merced Adventist Church, preaching here next on June 16: "Waiting For Heaven Pt 3 - The Sheep and the Goats."


The Mariposa Adventist Church, preaching here next June 9th - "How to Make the Most Out of Church"

 

Speaking Elsewhere: Brecan Camp in Wales, June 1-5

Milpitas Church Retreat @ Wawona, Feb 15-17 2013

Ireland Youth Camp - August 2013

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My Churches

 

Merced Adventist Church

Preaching here next on January 21st - Spannish Service

And January 28th - "At the Core"

 

Mariposa Adventist Church

Preaching here next on Febuary 4th - "The Root of Calling".

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About This Site:

I'm Pastor Stephen and this is my site. A place where I come to be me. I was born a Christian, but over the years I have had to make this my own. Which means questioning, throwing some things out, discovering the good, and learning to trust. I have not given up on church yet... for all its stuff, we need each other in our spiritaul lives. So while I know I work for a religious organization, and while I know of the many advantages of that, here in this space I attempt to take the institution out of following Jesus, and imagine what happens when we love and serve Him and each other.  ~ I invite you to join me. 
 

 

About Me:

I was born in Australia, lived in New Zealand, Sierra Leone West Africa, England, Italy and in Maryland, Illinois and now California here in the United States. 

I started out in ministry and the Spencerville Adventist Church in Maryland as youth pastor. Later doing the same thing at the Hinsdale Adventist Church in Illinois.  It was during this time, while studying youth ministry at Fuller Seminary that I become convinced (thanks Chap Clark) that the most influential person for youth in a church was not the youth pastor, but the senior pastor. So I jumped, and moved to the secular college town of San Luis Obispo on the central coast of California. 10 years later my life needed a new start, and I moved to Merced, home of the newest University of California campus (UC Merced), where I pastor the local Adventist congregation.

I wonder what might happen if a church focuses on teaching it's children and youth, using their energy to create a vibrant congregational life - while leaning on its wisdom from its elder members. I wonder what might happen if a church would have the courage to practise what it preaches. What if we lived in expectation that the God of the universe, the creator, savior, and comforter of our lives would show up... and through us as we, in Jesus name, bring salvation to the world, and reconciliation with God. 

 

Info:

I have 2 kids, Claira 12, and Austin 10.  They are awesome, and live 3/4ths of their time with their Mom in San Luis Obispo, CA.  

I follow English soccer, the New England Patriots in American football, I like to hike in Yosemite, learn more about whatever my kids are into at the moment, plan and plot my next adventure, and discover what I can do with my mac and all its peripherals!

 

 Pictures:

If you need higher resolution pictures for any reason, let me know - I've got them...