In Pursuit of Modelling the Joy of a Faithful Life and Ministry
“As Senior Pastor of the Castro Valley Church of the Nazarene since 1993, it has been a privilege to model the joy of the faithful Christian life. I sincerely love the people God has placed in our ministry and fully desire to see them experience that joy as well. It is my greatest dream that every person who enters the doors of this church building will truly know Jesus and the life changing relationship he offers.”
BIOGRAPHY
Pastor Steve was born December 17, 1959 and grew up in a pastor’s home (Rev. Don Redmond, a faithful Elder in the Church of the Nazarene). He graduated from Granite Hills High School in El Cajon, California and attended Point Loma Nazarene University.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Point Loma Nazarene University with a degree in Religion and Church Music in 1983. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology from Point Loma Nazarene University in 1987.
He entered his doctoral program at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey beginning a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree in 21st Century Christian Leadership in 2001.
The focus of the study at Drew was Christian leadership within the developing “Postmodern” culture and identifying generational characteristics as it relates to the future church. He received a Doctor of Ministry degree in 21st Century Church Leadership from Drew in May, 2004. His dissertation, “A Sabbath Rest for the People of God: Applying Christological Sabbath Rest Principles” was well received and nominated for special honors.
MINISTRY
He was raised in the church. His ministry began as a volunteer bus pastor at age 12 and led into Youth Ministry at age 16. He became a district-licensed pastor for the Church of the Nazarene in 1983 and began his first assignment in El Cajon, California in Youth Ministry and Church Music (1983-1987). Pastor Steve married Suzanne (Cole) in June of 1987 and together they began an Associate Pastor position in Youth Ministry at the Pomona First Church of the Nazarene, Pomona, California (1987 – 1989). He was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene in May of 1988. They moved to Northern California and co-pastored the Castro Valley Church of the Nazarene from 1989-1993, then took on the role of Senior Pastor in 1993. He has served the great people of Castro Valley for 30 years, 26 years as Senior Pastor.
During these years, he had the privilege of directing the Northern California NYI as District NYI President and Southwest Regional Nazarene Youth International regional ministries (California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Hawaii, Navajo and Latin America Districts) as Regional Director for a term, serving as District Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries Chair for 4 years and continuing as a member of the SDMI board, served on the Board of Ministerial Studies for 18 years and Point Loma Nazarene Board of Trustees for 3 years.
FAMILY
He and Suzanne have enjoyed 32 years of marriage. They have four beautiful children, Stacie (27), Allison (23) with her husband Ross, Sarah (21) and Madison (16 ).
Pastor Steve has had the privilege of serving Adjunct Faculty for Nazarene Bible College Online since 2005, in Western History, Adjunct Faculty for Patten University 2007 in Ministry Technology and has been a guest lecturer at Point Loma Nazarene University.