Tyler

Happy 30th Birthday Steve
I have compiled a list of your top 10 greatest accomplishments in the last 30 years.

10. Eating Double Jumbo at Andy's
9. Eating whole Pumkin Pie in one sitting
8. Killing a baker dozen Krispy Cremes
7. Not weighing 400lbs by now
6. Survived the world's scariest hotel/drive up liquor store
5. Able to drive 70 mph while peeing into a beef Jerky bad, that you turned into a bomb that you threw at my car and had a direct hit
4. Youth Pastored in Nebraska. Made it out alive, sane and without killing anyone.
3. Found a wife despite refusing to give up red fleece filled nastiness and possibly disease
2. Grew up home schooled and in bible quiz yet found some way to be socially acceptable. almost more unbelievable than Jesus walking on water
1. Still love and serve Jesus after having Tyler, Mike and Jesse as roomates


Happy Birthday Steve. Your greatest accomplishment is being You: a faithful husband, loving father, an honored son and a loyal friend. My life is enriched and blessed to have you as one of my closest allies and supports. I love you and wish I was in Ohio to celebrate your 30th with you. Keep being you cause its the best!

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Steve, you are my best friend.  My days begin and end by your side.  Whether I'm shaking my head or laughing 'til it hurts, the truth is that nobody makes me smile like you do.    I love that.

When I think back to the beginning of our friendship and romance, it was that same ability to make me giggle that brought us together.  (Well, that, and your beautiful smile, kind eyes, strong frame...and ghetto booty!)  During those weary and exhausting days of dealing with that pituitary tumor, I found myself looking forward to the chance to sit next to you.  For that 50 minute block of time I felt great.  You would grin and tell me about your latest soccer humiliation and Coach Hardy story.  I knew you were genuinely concerned about my health, but you had a way of setting me at ease and taking my mind completely of the pain (as well as the Snavely class we were forced to endure.)

Flash forward 10 years, and your charm and genuine love are carrying me again.  Every step of Blake's journey you've been there, holding my hand and comforting him.  We love you.  You are the joy and fun at the center of this type A little family!  Let's keep praying that God gives you an adorable little easy-going, charmer of a child to balance out the scales!

I am glad I can say that I have been part of a full third of your first thirty years.  I am thrilled to know I get to come along for the next thirty.  You will always have my heart.  You will always make me smile.  You are a man of strength and godly character.  Here's to the next ten years being even better than the last!

I love you!

The Paytons

Hello and Happy Birthday, Steve!!

First off, you may be wondering why such an important message is coming from ME and not James. James, who has successfully avoided getting a Facebook page (thus not being reminded about your bday) is now working two jobs (one of them is actually at church!! WOAH!), leading our small group and a group of guys, pioneering arts and faith conversations in KC, and most recently helping pack our lives up to move away from Kansas City...and Missouri completely...for me. (See a note on that in the post script!)

I wanted to make sure that you knew that he hasn't forgotten you. Turning 30 is, really just turning another year older, but it is also such an important and unique milestone for everyone. We have enjoyed stalking you both on Facebook from time to time. Seeing evidence of God's work in your beautiful family is so encouraging. I love the posted photos and quotes from even the silliest of things. James often remembers (and of course tells colorfully) stories about Horton 2nd and strange outtings and playing soccer and all of the other ridiculous shenanigans that you guys got into...the foundation of wonderful ministerial careers. ;) He also mentions how smart he thinks you are, and how gifted you proved to be in memorizing scripture, understanding Greek and of course, public speaking.

I know James would have wanted to say something way more meaningful and probably a bazillion times funnier than I could imagine, but I hope this year brings new and unbelievably crazy stories of 30-year-old shenanigans. I hope this year brings amazing new opportunities to share the Gospel to people in your community who desperately need it...whether they realize it or not. Most importantly though, I hope this year presents you and Christina with new and refreshing views of God's faithful and gracious character. We serve a GOOD God who loves us despite knowing everything about us!

You are amazing people and I am so glad James had the chance to be in school with you...otherwise I wouldn't have had a chance to know who you are either! Steve, I trust your birthday will be absolutely wonderful! Have fun and again HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY!! (You are all getting soooo old! ;) )

--
Estrella (and James!)

PS. So, I applied to graduate schools to get my Master of Fine Arts degree in Printmaking. I received a full-tuition scholarship and teaching assistantship (which pays!) to study at Arizona State University (ASU) this fall. We are moving to Tempe at the end of the July, for at least three years. We have to be out of our current apartment in 9 days because our lease is up!! James is looking for jobs and we are also looking for apartments because we COULD move earlier if a job presents itself. <-- that is a super-abbreviated version of the story. :)

Lenora Novak

Steve, don't worry about turning 30. You are still plenty young. You are currently less then half my age and you know that I am "young " as the hills.
I still remember the first time I ever saw you. I was Quiz Master and still with Life Center. I thought "who is this young pipsqueak that is giving my son a run for his money?" I soon found out that you were not only a great quizzer but also about the nicest young man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. (I admit that I kinda liked you better when we started going to Calvary Temple and you and Nathan were teammates and no longer adversaries.)
I have watched you grow from your early teens and my opinion of you has never changed. You are still one of the nicest young men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
I am so happy for you in your choices in life. You are doing well in the ministry, you married a very lovely young woman who is beautiful both inside and out. You have a darling son. I so admire your faith as you and Christina walk the difficult journey with Blake. You are an inspiration to so many.
I hope you have a wonderful birthday. I even hope it tops going to Tony Roma's for ribs with family friends. (I miss those times.)
My love you you. Lenora Novak

Dean Senff

Tell Steve greetings from his old CBC dean. It what is joy to have you in the dorm. I think Steve was one of only three Christians on Horton 2nd and the seeds of hope he planted are producing fruit today. God bless you and enjoy your youth while you have time B-)

Renee

Stevo-O,

Happy 30^th Birthday!  It’s crazy to think it’s been nearly 11 years since freshman year and the infamous red hoodie and flip flops :)  What a journey it has been!  I have so many good memories with you in it-Horton 2^nd boys being there fun loving selves, cheering at soccer games, being there when you started dating Christina, Floodgate...  Oh man I could write a page on Floodgate.  Driving from Montana to Texas and getting a flat tire during the final hour of the trip, cowboy human videos for chapel, weird Pat Schatzline, you and the boys drinking a gallon of lemonade from KFC and getting stomach aches….  I could go on for a really long time for sure.  On a serious note, there are few people like  you.  You are one of the most genuine and loyal people I know.  You truly have a servants heart and I have witnessed you putting others above yourself countless times.  You are committed to the calling of God on your life and your family.  You get that being leader doesn’t mean being able to hype up a crowd it means being able to plunge a toilet. Thank you for showing me what it means to follow God in good times and hard times.  Talking to you and Christina at the hospital literally made me weep afterwards.  The faith you both demonstrated to me really ignited an even deeper trust in my heart for God and his sovereignty over our lives.  Thank you for living out your faith throughout these past few months.  It may have been easier to just throw in the towel but you guys both really showed how much you trusted God.  That has been an invaluable lesson to me.  I can’t wait to get together in 50 years and laugh at all the good memories and share about the faithfulness of God in our lives.  I truly cherish your friendship and thank God that I have a friend like you in my life.  You are one in a million!

Boston!

Steve,

I’ve heard from numerous people that college creates friends for life. Speaking from
my own experience, I can say this is absolutely true. I mean, I don’t keep in touch with
people nearly as often as I’d like to, but many of the people that I view as good friends
were from CBC. You obviously fit in that category. Showing up at a school in Podunk,
Missouri with no clue who anyone is was an interesting experience for me. I had no
idea that I would quickly meet a number of friends who would remain my friends for a
lifetime. Of course, I also had no idea that I would be playing on a soccer team for an
NCCAA Div. II college either. I think that’s something we had in common. I’m not sure
that there were two less qualified people to be on that team. But you can take satisfaction
in knowing that I was less deserving than you. In fact, we learned soccer together. For
example, it was together that we learned proper etiquette for a flooded field. We learned
together that staying in the push-up position for long periods of time is not as easy as it
might seem. We learned together where not to swing your arm in a match…no, wait, that
one was just me. Anyway, you get the point. I also remember that I loved hanging out in
your room, listening to James’ take on history and crazy, wildly amusing stories. I loved
the numerous stupid fun things we would do to stay entertained. I was a much different
person back then. I loved going to Phazusa with you. You may not remember this (ahem)
but I was a bit of a short-tempered, unreasonable, immature young man back then. I was
also arrogant and annoying. Yet, you still hung with me through it all. Truth be told…you
may never know just how much you’ve meant to my life. If it weren’t for you and a few
of the other guys, I’m not sure where I’d be or what I’d be doing. You were one of the
few people that helped form me into the man I am today. You encouraged me to grow
in my walk with the Lord. For that, I will be forever grateful. I hope your birthday is the
best ever man. You really do deserve it. Love you bro. God bless you and your beautiful
family.

Mike “Boston” Brown

Mom

Dear Steven,

I have started to write this HAPPY BIRTHDAY note to you dozens of times. I have pondered the wording
in the early morning hours, mentally written sentences on the drives to and from work and fallen asleep
reformatting in my head. But somehow nothing seemed to quite hit the mark. The reality that you are
turning 30 isn’t quite as shocking to me as is the reality that I am no longer 30

Where do I start…and where do I end? How do I put down in words the fullness that is in my heart and
my life because of you?

It’s challenging to remember life without you because you have always been a part of my heart. I love
that God answered the cry of my heart with such a precious you! From the first moments of knowing
that you were on your way, life has never been the same.

You are the firstborn we had prayed for and you brought with you the fulfillment of “family”.
With you came many things:
…the blessing of experiencing the sweetness of having a baby in the house ~it’s true, a baby changes
everything.
...the joy of watching you grow, learn and take on the responsibilities of being the big brother to Danny
and Billy.
…the delights of moving through childhood…the introduction to little league, homeschooling,
competitive sports, driving lessons, and Bible Quiz.
…the pride of watching you mature into a fine young man with a heart for God.
…the tug on our hearts as you left home to follow the call on your heart.
…the realization that you were in the exact right place as you soared with every new adventure and fell
in love with your Christina.
…the honor of walking through the planning of your engagement, proposal, and wedding.
…the enlarging of our hearts and our family with a new branch to our family tree, and a new generation
arrived with the birth of your precious Blake…our warrior hero. Our family story continues with a
beautiful chapter that is unfolding daily with paragraphs about…Steven: Son, brother, husband, father,
pastor and friend.

The days that have led up to today have been many. The lessons you have learned have been powerful.
You have dealt with success and failure with equal amounts of strength and character. You have been
humble in victory and gracious in defeat…and every day you bring the party with you.

I love that I am the mother of three sons. I love that you are my firstborn. I love the lessons of life that
you taught me along the way. I love not only the person that you are, but also the person that I am
today because you are in my life.

I could write and re-write this note to you, and never be completely satisfied with the end result
because there simply are not words big enough to tell you what a treasure you are to my heart.

So…Happy Birthday, Steven….I love you tons and bunches...and always

~ Mom

Terry

 Steve,
Happy birthday. I am so blessed to have you in my life. You have been so good to Christina and the Blakester, as well as Lilly and me. I'll never forget when Christina first brought you to Ohio from Springfield. I was impressed that she had found someone like you to share her life. We have to go to a Buckeyes game and a Red's game or any place else we can. Things are hard right now but they'll get better. I love how you've been able to coordinate things since Blake has had his surgery. Blake is a lucky fellow to have great parents like you and Christina. I love you guys more than you'll ever know. Have a blessed birthday!

Love ya.
Terry McCann

Moriah Schmidt

Happy birthday Pastor Steve!!! You were such a blessing in my life the whole time you were at Evangel. One of my favorite things about you was how you were able to keep control of all of us while still having a sense of humor about everything. I loved how applicable your sermons where to us too - it's really hard to find a speaker/pastor who can fit in homeschoolers to a message targeting public school kids. I didn't realize just what a great youth pastor and leader you were until you weren't with us. I miss you and Christina and Blake a lot still but I know God is using you to bless and bring joy to other people just like you did for me and all of us here.
My favorite memory - you and all the youth group doing the Facedown slip-n-slide days. It was great that you got into it with the rest of us and probably enjoyed it as much as we did :) Not many people can say they watched their youth pastor go down a 100 foot (or longer) slip-n-slide at top speed!
I hope your birthday, and years ahead of you are AMAZING! Love ya Pastor Steve!
-Moriah

Andy

Abby

Steve, 30 is the new 20, but don't do anything you would have done when you were 20 (i.e. anything stupid). :) happy birthday and i hope it's your best year yet! as christina is one of my most favorite people in the whole world, i'm so thankful she has a strong, faithful husband who is walking with her through such a difficult season. you both are my heroes in how you've handled the last six months. God is doing much in and through you and i know He has great plans in store for your future as well! i hope you have a great day and year and i can't wait to see the patient clan in a couple of months! :)

Eric Schroeter

Pastor John

This might be painful. It just might hurty.
So very sorry you're turning thirty.

Before you use a colorful superlative
It may help to ponder the alternative

As you bid farewell to the youth generation
And befriend joint pain and more constipation

Take heart in knowing that folks just like me
Will save room for you in the AARP!

Congratulations, Sir, on this rather significant milestone! If the past thirty are any indication, your family, your friends, and the Kingdom of God are in for a fun and fulfilling ride in the years to come. Thanks for all the ways you keep blessing those, like me, who are privileged to call you, Friend. You are loved!

John Wootton

John Musgrove

Steve, You have been a tremendous addition to our OMN team!! Your work ethic, stability, and humor are just a few things which make you a person of integirty and charcater! Watching you navigate a personal challenge through Blake's health issues cuases me to admire your faith and courage! Someday you migth even be able to forego coffee in a Daniel fast ....

May your "30th" birthday be filled with God's grace, mercy and favor; but also a day of fun with family and friends!!! We Love you Steve!!
John and Barb M.

Ted & Tami

Happy Birthday sweet boy!
When we think of you, the memories come in like a flood...from family moments at Sun River, to "Carmen" re-enactments on the trampoline (with all of you kids!), to a million different Bible Quiz snapshots. Our lives have been so blessed to have been a part of all the silly, side-splitting, goofy moments that you've blessed us with!
But more than even all of those "Steven" memories that still bring a smile to our face, is the thankfulness that we got to walk along side you as you grew into the amazing leader, pastor,husband & father that you are today. We got to see those gifts that God blessed you so richly with, grow into maturity. We got to see the unique blend of the fun-loving, magnetic young man blend seamlessly into the Godly leader that we see today.
Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey, Stevie.
We love you from the bottom of our hearts and we pray you have a truly fabulous 30th Birthday!
Tami & Ted

The Kellys

Steve,

Welcome to the world of being in your thirties! There are so many good memories from being at CBC and seeing you and Christina fall in love to being youth pastors together in Ohio. It has been so fun to be at camps, retreats, and meetings together. Especially the New Years All-nighters! We have missed you guys being in our section but were so excited for you when God took you to the Network Office.

When we heard of Blake being diagnosed we were so broken for you and Christina. Broken because we couldn't imagine knowing that our sweet child was going to have to go through more pain and agony than what any parent would wish for their child. But with God's strength you rose above and praised God through it. WOW!

You are such a great friend and we know that we can rely on you for anything. The strength you have as a father is beyond words and the love you have for your wife is beautiful. But more than those is your love for Christ and your desire to have Him flowing in and out of all you put your hands to.

We hope that you have an incredible birthday and that the next thirty years will bring more blessings than one could ever imagine!

Love,

Mat, Kim, and Annalise

Jesse Cook

Steve,

I wanted to send Christina a favorite picture of us, but had a hard time finding something that would be appropriate. I wanted you to know how much of a positive impact you have made in my life over these many years. Whenever I eat a Krispy Kream doughnut I know I can always eat at least one more, you showed me that. You also showed me that I'm never too old to attempt acrobatic maneuvers and to never be ashamed of head-wounds caused by face plants. Joking aside, you have shown me how a Christian should persevere over adversity and situations beyond ones control. I'm so glad that you have kept yourself alive this last year...keep it up for many more! Happy birthday Steve. Much love man!

Jamal

Steve,

Words can't express how you impacted my life. From the baby face shirt you were eager to get rid of, to the Horton X Games, to riding in the van on Floodgate rewriting worship songs to be these ghetto renditions! Hahaha I'll never forget the song Gangsta Be The Name! I'm sure you would never want your name associated with that. One thing that still speaks to me to this day is the fact that you opened your home to us when you and Christina were just married. That was like insane to me but I feel that it speaks volumes of the kind of heart you have. I see now that you guys have a family and I just know that the man you modeled to me as my president and as a friend is the same man you model to you family. And I know without a shadow of a doubt one day when you're a grandpa your kids will model to their kids a man of compassion and a man after God's own heart! Love you man and God bless!

Mark and Linda Raber

Dear Steve,

It is very hard to single out silly, serious, or memorable experiences we've shared together. As you come to mind, we have positive recollections and appreciate your dedication to the Lord, Christina, and Blake. You've been challenged this past 6 months and this is where a "thankyou" comes to play. You have remained faithful during disapointments, fright, concern, and questions. In return, we are blessed and our faith is strengthened. We serve a BIG God and are thankful you continue to serve Him faithfully.

We are excited with you to see where God leads you during this next year. Happy Birthday!

Mark and Linda Raber

Chappy

Hey Steve!

Welcome the phase of life know as "The Dirty 30's". Mysteriously overnight, everything changes. Parts of your body that have never hurt before start aching. You become intrigued by pants with an elastic waist band and shoes with velcro, thinking it might be a legitimate option. What hair you have left begins to sprout as gray. Physical activity is much needed and often recommended by a spouse, but unanimously shot down due to a depleting lack of motivation.

It seems like only yesterday we were sharing a toilet during freshmen year. Where has the time gone? I'm grateful for the occurrences in life that have brought us together. I look forward to many more opportunities to celebrate life. I hope this next season is one of great joy and accomplishment for you as a spiritual leader, a husband, and a father.

I'm proud to call you friend. Happy Birthday, Steve!

Love,

Matt Travnik

Mike and Becky Garrett

Happy Birthday Steve! Hope you have a wonderful celebration!!! Kick back, put up your feet, watch your favorite movie and enjoy some homemade POPCORN for your birthday - but WAIT - make sure Christina makes it for you. :) Just because you are getting older doesn't meen you should take up smoking :)

Wishing you the best! Happy Birthday!
Mike and Becky Garrett

Pastor Matt

Dear Steve:

Happy birthday, my friend! As hollow an opening as that is, it is incredibly heartfelt. I surely don't need to tell you how valuable life is. Every time you kiss your son, you're reminded of the beauty of it.

Sometimes, we in your life don't do as good of a job as we can telling you how much you mean to us. From the moment I first met you, I knew you were a man of high quality. I appreciated your intelligence, wit, and deep knowledge of the Lord and His ways. You had a maturity beyond your years. I think that's why I reached for you so quickly to lead the East Central Area when you were in Wooster. You have this ability to make others instantly comfortable around you. I knew that youth leaders, veteran and rookie, would buy into you as a leader...and they did.

Obviously we never know how life is going to turn. Not knowing how long I would stay in district ministry, I wondered who might replace me when I left. I never told you this, but I thought you would have been the natural choice to be DYD. Your ability to network, form relationships, bring creativity, and secure leadership would be amazing. The Lord has other plans, but I wasn't surprised when you were asked to join the team in Columbus. I just knew you had those gifts to lead on a wider stage. Where it goes from here, who knows? But I know the Lord has wonderful things in store for you. And that's not so much because of your abundant and obvious gifts. No, it is because of your great heart and Godly character. I'll be excited to watch from the sidelines at where the Lord takes you.

Thanks for being my friend both before and after the DYD title. It means a lot to me. I love you, Steve, and am honored to be your friend. Hope you have an amazing birthday. See you at Network Conference. Take care.

Lindsay Page

STEVE!! feliz cumpleaños my friend! It's been awesome getting to know you and your family. I had a blast working with ya at Youth Convention and it better happen again this year!! You can stay 29 forever if you'd like ;) enjoy the day!!! -- LindsAy

Hope you are doing well!! We've all been praying for you guys and Blake!

Whitney

Oh dear there are so many things that make me chuckle and smile when thinking of time with the Patients! Some things that make me laugh are every time now that I see a bear or hear the phrase "the bear", I always think of how steve imitated the narrator from the Grizzly Man documentary.. or. on a long road trip I crossed the line by gleeking on his head while he was driving and was punished with loud bagpipe music for the remainder of the drive. But on a serious note, I admired your passion for people and constant encouragement as I was growing in my faith. Definitely on a list of people who have left their mark in my life for the better. And even now living in a different state I've been so encouraged from your persistence in trusting the Lord's plan throughout this past hard year. Happy birthday Steve!

Mark Wootton

Steve - You are looking so good for your age. I hope I look as good when I turn your age:) Joy and I love and admire you guys so much. You are regularly in our prayers. Keep up the good work.

Brent Page

Steve....it's my pleasure to wish you a happy birthday! Lisa and i have really enjoyed getting to know you and your family. I hope and pray your 30th birthday will be the start of many blessings and adventures that will fulfill your life!
Happy birthday my friend!!
bpage

Mary Shilling

Happy Birthday, Pastor Steve,
Hope you have a wonderful day and a blessed year!
You are an example of a true man of God.
You and your family will always be in my prayers.
Mary Shilling

Mom McCann

Dearest Steve,
I want to wish you a very Happy 30th Birthday. I am so glad that you are a part of my family. From the night that I met you in the lobby of CBC, when I had come to check out this guy that my daughter couldn’t quit talking about, until today I thank the Lord for bringing you into Christina’s life. You have been a strong arm for Christina and now Blake to lean upon.

I am so proud of you for completing your schooling and becoming an ordained minister with the Assembly of God. Continue to seek the Lord with all your heart and he will direct your path as you walk this journey of life. I know he has much in store for Christina, Blake, and you as you continue to minister to others in the name of the Lord.

May this birthday be your best one yet! May the Lord pour out his many blessings upon you!

God bless you,
Lilly

Pastor Mark

Dear Steve,

Happy 30th Birthday! Three decades of life - a milestone, to be sure and Carol and I wish you all the best.

The Lord has gifted you in many ways. I especially appreciate your creativity and ability to communicate with others. On many occasions you've been an encouragement to us. Your support has been a great blessing. And then there's your sense of humor...you really are very funny and have a knack for bringing out the smiles. It's so great that all of these gifts have been surrendered to the Lord and that you use them as you serve him!

It was a pleasure to work with you here at Evangel and you, Christina and Blake are still missed. Thank you for being a friend and partner in ministry.

We are sure the Lord has good things ahead for you as you continue to follow his leading...so launch out boldly into this new decade, my friend. The best is yet to come!

Our love and best wishes,

Mark

Aunt Joyce

Happy Birthday Steve!! Lots of changes since 2001 - the date the attached pic was taken with your siblings and cousins on the roof-top of Shelby's condo complex!! This photo of you reminds of your Bible Quiz days - especially the memorization of ACTS and how you recited it for us at your parents' home in Auburn! I couldn't believe one could do that so well!! Those memorization days, I am sure, has helped you greatly now in your ministry! I'm thankful to God for you and the blessing you are to your entire family and extended family. I am also proud of you and your choice of Christina as your Bride and your precioius son - Blake. I know HIS hand rests not only on you but on your family!
Congrats on your 30th Birthday! You are loved!! Great-auntie Joyce

Rod and Lauretta Smith

I am sitting in an MDiv class recalling our first meeting. We were with Abigail and we had already met Christina during one of our previous visits. Steve the impression you made was unforgettable. Well, what you wore was unforgettable. You had on one of your infamous SWEATERS! And the New Sweater you wore to the Pastor's Christmas pater in the section made many pastor's Covet....lol!

On a serious note, the impact of your ministry in Chadron was invaluable. You hit the ground running following your wedding to Christina (If I recall you two had been married for about a week) and "got to" live in a sweaty boys dorm room for the next two weeks of camp....i am sure that was an unforgettable experience! The Youth, Children, and adults of CCC fell in love with you both. What a joy it is to follow your ministry since you have left Chadron. Happy Birthday Steve, and I pray God's continued guidance, provision, and empowerment will lead you and your family into great victory!

We love you and are Proud of you!

Pastor Rod and Lauretta Smith

Tom Groot

Steve, Happy Birthday man! 30 is a big deal, you are officially an adult and no longer considered young. Although, your hair has probably already pushed you past that classification years ago, haha. Seriously, I appreciate you and I am so glad you decided to make the move to Columbus. Have a great day and be blessed, you deserve it! Praying for you guys!

Brother In Law

Steve is turning 30...wow. First things first, why didn't he try to salvage what hair he had left while he had the chance? He could have tried the monk, a classic comb over, or now more fittingly that you live so close to the buckeyes football field the horseshoe? Now that he has reached 30 it is finally acceptable that he is bald. Steve has been a great guy. He is a good husband to my sister. This means so much to me. I never had to use any of that macho "if you hurt my sister, ill use my shotgun on you" language that is often used in brother in law relations. The thought has never crossed my mind that Steve is anything other than what he appears to be. He has been the stable man that my sister needed. Steve was a Godsend to this family, through the brain tumor of Sis to the cancer of my nephew. Thanks for being a great example. Happy Birthday!

Matt Welch

Steve,

You are an amazing husband, father, friend and boss! I pray Gods blessings and anointing over this upcoming year! Thanks for all your support and encouragement! Happy Birthday!


- Favorite Moment: Steve's flipping a golf cart on the course and jumping out with only 1 shoe on..classic, Steve.
- Matt Welch

A Birthday Video for You!

A birthday video for you!

hope its your best :] and I hope you enjoy the Birthday Video....

- Heather Muttart

Happy Birthday to The Cheat!

Oh, where to begin with Steve.
We always had so much fun with him in youth at Peace Chapel. I would have to say some of my fondest memories come from his nickname that we ( the Briand and Wootton girls and I) gave him. The Cheat! It never failed any game we played; he always managed to cheat his way to the top.
He was the first person I ever met that enjoyed listening to bagpipe music. I can't remember where we had gone, but he was playing it in his car. I thought it was hilarious that everyone else couldn't stand it. I believe we had convince him (which probably didn't take much work) to have him play it during the service (or event). The reactions were priceless.

Then of course, he was our fearless Bible Quiz coach. He would get so frustrated with me, because I would never hit the buzzer. I think it was our last tournament, and he told me my goal was just to hit the buzzer. He didn't care if I just sat there and didn't answer just as long as I hit the buzzer. I was so nervous but determined to hit it. We were up against a team from James River who had a really good player. A question came up, and I knew it! There was no doubt in my mind, so I was waiting to see if anyone else knew it. I thought it was a pretty obvious answer, but no one answered. The time was almost out. I hit the buzzer and answered it correctly. Steve was so excited! I think I answer several more questions that day. He couldn't believe that I waited till the last tournament to start answering questions.

I and many others were so great full to have Steve as a friend and youth leader. We missed him (and you too Christina) when he left Peace Chapel, but we knew there were others that needed to experience the awesomeness of Steve Patient.

Love you guys!

Adrienne Arner

Justin Hughes

Justin sent this picture, because it's his favorite of the two of you.

Thanks for being a big inspiration during a big part of my life.  We love and miss you guys! Hope all is great with you guys!

Happy Birthday from the Sheets!

We talk of you guys often. Although a short relationship, it was def. Sweet!
For some reason a vivid memory is when we helped you and Steve pack...he gave my boys some blue soccer balls with glow in the dark spots on them! It was his sincere generosity and awareness that "they're only soccer balls, so big deal", it was an excellent example of the ease and simplicity of sowing into some young boys' lives by an example of giving! We still have those soccer balls. And every now and then we comment where they came from! We were/are so appreciative of Pastor Steve's heart of gold, love of youth, and dedication to making a difference in so many lives in so many ways! Truly, he's the best 30 year old Pastor I know (with the best support staff - Christina and Blake!) God Bless you all! We love the Patients!
- Dave

That too is my favorite memory of you both. Steve has the perfect mix of fun and mature, biblical knowledge and relatable. You both are a blessing wherever you go! We miss you guys even after all these years. Hugs to you all and especially that precious Blake!
 Hugs, Shauna

Josanna

I don’t even know where to start with this letter. There are so many memories that we have shared throughout the years! All those Wednesday nights, Fine Arts Festive practices and trips, Acquire the Fire trips, and mission trips have been a blast! They have shown me what a solid, funny, open, engaging, sincere, and godly guy you are. I thank God so much for the four years that I got to know and spend time with you each week. I was so blessed to hear just a portion of what God has laid on your heart to tell others. You have stirred my heart to fall deeper in love with Christ and not to become someone who is complacent in my faith. Thank you for being willing to let God use you!

This past year has turned you from a role model into an inspiration. My heart broke for you when I first heard about Blake. I can’t even comprehend how you felt as his father. Your strength and reliance in God (even through the tears and sleepless nights) was a motivation to me. Your story and an illustration I heard recently made me think about my faith with Christ at a different level. This is the illustration: We get so hyped up to experience the thrill of a roller coaster. Without a moment’s hesitation, we jump on board and trust the roller coaster operator with our lives. How about God? Do we trust Him with our lives? We don’t most of the time. We don’t trust Him or get excited about what He’s going to do with our everyday situations… let alone our lives! It’s hard to imagine that we don’t trust the God of this Universe with our situations, but we’re willing to trust ordinary people with our lives. I’m sure that your trust in God has grown throughout the past few months and will keep on growing throughout the years to come. I pray that God will continue to be your source of strength through the hard times and the good times as well!

I still remember getting a text from you saying, “All the nurses here remind me of you and Caitlin”. After just starting nursing school, it was a great encouragement to me and confirmation that I was in the right place. I was overwhelmed that you encouraged me with that simple sentence when all I wanted to do was uplift your spirits.

I pray that over the next year God will do amazing things in your life:

“God, I pray after this time of “sorrow” that You would bring a time of joy. That a time of blessing and refreshing would fall over Pastor Steve. Let your Holy Presence wash over him right now. May a new excitement and commitment to You be evident in his life. May boldness, passion, and power consume him as he intentionally lives his days for You. I pray that wherever he lays his hands that it will be blessed and will glorify Your Name. Wash over him once again, so he may fall deeper in love with You! We love You Lord! Amen.” 

Wishing you all the best in this year to come! Love you so much!

Josanna Raber

FOR STEVE'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!! :)

Hey Steve!!!!!!!!!!!

The first time I met you was actually through Garrett!!! It was at a Fine Arts and you were with your Wooster youth group and you said - "I know Garrett." Enough said!!!! I knew that since you knew Garrett - you did know us!!! :) Har!!!!

Brent and I have truly enjoyed getting to know you, Christina and Blake! You are a blessed and wonderful family!!! :)

I will never understand why you don't care for an overabundance of exclamation marks!!!!!! I am so sorry that you do not share my appreciation for exclamation marks!!!!!!! I still think that they mean fun and excitement!!!!! I certainly do not mean to shout at you!!!!!! But if I did shout at you it would be to say:
Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a blessed day!!!!!!
Lisa!!!!!!!! :)

PS - I forgot to mention - April birthdays are the best!!!!!!!!! :) Garrett's is April 16th and mine is the 18th!!!!!!!!! :)