Stephanos Ministries That in all things, He might have preeminence - Col. 1:18
Rita and I were both saved in the early
1970s at the end of the Jesus Movement era when the charismatic renewal
swept through upstate New York, resulting in the conversions of thousands of
young “hippies.” Since then, our lives have geographically spanned North
America. Our church "ministry" experience ranges from
janitorial duties to "senior pastor" within a traditional paradigm.
Our "secular" work history includes owning and operating small
businesses in upstate PA, and employment with different Fortune 500 companies
in metallurgical engineering, optical waveguide engineering, and customer
service for myself, and as an X-ray technician, and day care center operator
for Rita.
I received my undergraduate secular
education at Corning Community College in Corning NY, and my BA, MA, and D.
Min. through Christian International College and Graduate School at Santa Rosa
Beach, FL. Rita received her X-ray training at St. Joseph's Hospital in Elmira,
NY, and her BA in Biblical Studies through Christian Life School of Theology.
We've pastored and ministered in traditional churches, home
churches, organic churches, conferences, and Bible Schools in nations on four
continents. In 2005 we finished a pastoral assignment within a
traditional church structure, and began a journey looking for a quality of kingdom
life in the Spirit that was defined by intimate relationships in Christ—sharing
life with those of similar values—rather than facilitating “meetings” and administrating
an organization.
For the last eight years we have not only had
the joy of discovering fellow pilgrims in this way, but have also been
providing leadership, counsel, and guidance to many who are in various places
in a similar journey: re-evaluating belief systems, value systems, and
practical expression along relational rather than organizational lines.
While we are all about relationship:
"one anothering" in a functional community as the foundation for all
practical kingdom endeavors, we do have areas of passion and expertise.
We strengthen the ekklesia worldwide through
practical instruction and impartation of prophetic, apostolic, and radical
grace themes, with strong emphases on the Person and Work of Jesus Christ and
the outworking of the New Covenant in the life of the believer. We also emphasize the importance of understanding
Semitic/Mediterranean basin culture and context when studying, interpreting,
and applying the scriptures, especially the importance of understanding
Jewish/Semitic worldview and values.
We are also passionate for the manifestation of the full
spectrum of "Holy Spirit" issues (gifts, ministries, healings,
miracles, etc.) without the latent Gnosticism, baggage, freneticism, nonsense,
control, fakery, and hype that so frequently accompany these things.
We have three grown children, and four
grandchildren. We have been married for thirty-seven years.