Who Is Steve Read
Steve Read is a growing follower of Jesus. He has been a pastor, missionary, disciple-maker, mentor, educator, mobilizer, church-planter, hospice chaplain.
Steve has a passion for individuals and local churches to grow to be “doers” of God’s Word (James 1:22). Since his college days, he has often wondered, “What would it be like if I, we, the church, would be able to become what God has called us to be?” Love, joy, pleasure, transformation, justice, harvest, impact are a few of the words that might be used as our hearts beat in time with His.
Currently Steve is learning that life is a journey, lived moment-by-moment, heart beating in pursuit of God’s heart. Though the journey at times has difficulties and pitfalls, Steve has learned God never wastes opportunities to prove His love, mercy, and grace.
Steve invites to you join the journey, the pursuit of God’s heart, his passion becoming our passion.
Education
- MDiv, Pastoral Ministry, Trinity Theological Seminary, 2005
- MA, Educational Ministries, Wheaton Graduate School, 1986
- BA, Philosophy/Religion, Spring Arbor College (now Spring Arbor University), 1977
- Diploma, World Missions, Moody Bible Institute, 1975
Skills
- Team builder
- Character and values driven mentor
- Equipper through teaching, training, and dialogical small groups
- Facilitator and encourager, motivated to help others succeed in their callings and responsibilities
- Cross-cultural in worldview
- Big picture perspective, uniting individual parts to achieve common goals
- Dynamic public speaker/communicator
- End of life compassion/care
Professional Experience
- Founder/Facilitator, Pursuing God’s Heart (www.pursuinggodsheart.org), 2020-present
- Hospice Chaplain, Grane Hospice Care, Pittsburgh, PA, 2018-June 2022
- Pastor, interim pastor ministry, Hillsdale MI. 2000-2007
- Missionary (Dicipleship, “Comprehensive” Church Planting, Pastoral Leadership Development), Action International Ministries, 1978-2000, 2008-2013
- Pastoral Development/Mentoring, PCEC (Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches) commissions: TOPIC Philippines (Trainers of Pastors International Coalition), and MentorLink Philippines, 2008-2013
- Executive Committee, TOPIC Philippines (Trainers of Pastors International Coalition), 2008-2013
- TOPIC Regional Coordinator for Regions IV-A (Southern Tagalog), IV-B (Bicol), and V (Romblon), 2010-2013
- Mobilization, PCEC (Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches) commission: Philippine Missions Association (PMA)
- Mobilization, Trained KAIROS Head Facilitator (www.kairoscourse.org), 2013
- Church Planting/Discipleship, DAWN 2000 Philippines National Coordinating Committee (Disciple a Whole Nation), 1997-1998
- Ordination, Word Community Church, Manila, Philippine (under auspices of PCEC), 1999
- Missions Department of Word Community Church, Manila (membership about 1200), collaborating on the development of the operations manual and application procedures, 1996-1997
- Local Missions Coordinator for Word Community Church, Manila 1996-1997
- Leadership Community (elders), Word Community Church, Manila, 1996-1997
- Taught “Understanding the Church” for The Bible League’s Church Planting Institute in the Philippines, 1992-1997
- Developed School of Local Church Leadership, Born Again in Christ Evangelical Church, Manila. 1990-1991
