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- Currently serving:
- Japan
- Sending congregation:
- Upland BIC
- Serving since:
- 2023
- Married:
- 1974
Phyllis received Jesus as a five-year-old and was baptized several years later. Her family moved to California when she was ten, and she was heavily involved at Upland BIC Church. Steve, whose family also moved to California when he was ten, trusted and received Jesus as his Savior at Mile High Pines Camp when he was twelve years old.
Phyllis and Steve met in church youth group; both participated in the church’s Summer Service program, and both had a heart to do voluntary service after high school. They got married in 1974 and shortly thereafter began a three-year voluntary service term at Mile High Pines Camp in California.
Growing up as a pastor’s son, the one thing Steve did not want to do was be a pastor. He was happy to be a youth leader, deacon, trustee – anything but pastor. And, though he sensed God calling him to ministry in his early 20’s, he resisted the call until, in his mid-thirties, God’s call became unmistakably clear. In 1994, Steve, Phyllis, and their family answered God’s call to full-time pastoral ministry. They served in three churches: Mt. Pleasant Church in Mount Joy, Pa., Speedwell Heights Church in Lititz, Pa., and Upland BIC Church in Upland, Calif., where Steve served as lead pastor until they retired in March of 2023.
During their time in ministry, Phyllis helped support the family as a dental assistant, a medical receptionist, and (after earning her degree in early childhood education and administration) a preschool director.
In 2018, Steve was invited by the BIC Church in Japan to speak at their annual meeting. His heart was moved with God’s love for the Japanese church. He and Phyllis were invited to speak at the meeting the following year as well. On that second visit (and a third visit which they made in order to pray and seek what the Lord might be saying) they sensed God’s call to continue ministering in Japan. After retiring from pastoral ministry and receiving a formal invitation from the Japanese Church, they joined Brethren in Christ U.S. World Missions as Global Volunteers. Now, having transitioned to Covenant status, Steve and Phyllis continue their commitment to serve in Japan, walking alongside the church with hearts devoted to discipleship, encouragement, and the advancement of God’s kingdom.