Garrett-Evangelical News

Meet Christopher Stephens

Hometown: Speedway, IN

Age: 25

Home Church & Denomination: Speedway United Methodist Church (United Methodist)

Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministry/Pre-Theology, University of Indianapolis

Garrett-Evangelical Degree Program/Year: Master of Divinity, 2nd Year

Career Plans: I am a Certified Candidate on the Elder Track for ministry in the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. I plan to be a pastor of a local church in my home state.

Personal Information: I was raised on the west side of Indianapolis, the older of two children. (My younger sister will be coming to Garrett-Evangelical in the fall.) My mother taught me to serve the Lord in song and I have been singing publicly since she stood me on a piano bench at the nursing home where she worked when I was 4 years old. I have worked with several professional music groups singing all over the globe. At one point I sought a career in the music industry, but my call to serve the Lord through word and song took my life in a different direction. On Aug. 29, 2009, I married my wife, Michelle. We are both from Indiana and met on the first day I arrived at Garrett-Evangelical. Michelle will graduate in May with a Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling. She is on the Deacon Track for ordination in the United Methodist Church.

Attraction to Garrett-Evangelical: I looked at several seminaries, but chose Garrett- Evangelical for two reasons. First was my interest in the MDiv Plus program that will work with me and my home conference after I graduate. Second, I was attracted by the community here. There is a great collegiality among the students, and it feels like family. I remember the first time I came to visit. After driving through a blizzard I arrived at the campus, saw the light on the steeple, and it felt like I was at home.

Calling: I have felt a call to ministry since I was in high school. I love the Church and could not help telling everyone about the joy I had found in the love of the Lord. Although I have struggled at times with the fact that God has called me, He has continually renewed my call to spread the message of love of God and love of neighbor.