Dan and Lynn Steffey's Faith Talk

Dan talks:

My parents were very active in a Lutheran Church in Mansfield, Ohio. They took me to Sunday school before I even remember going to Sunday school. For this, I am forever thankful to them.

I really enjoyed my Sunday school as a child. I received my first bible, and we sang songs "Jesus loves me" and "This is my Father's world". To this day, verse 3 of "This is my Father's world" is one of my favorite hymn verses. During those days, I would think about that if I died, it would be ok. God would take care of me.

Years later, there was a time in my life, while in the Army, that I did not attend church much, but I still knew that if I died, God would take care of me.

So, I cannot pinpoint a specific event or time in my life when a "lightbulb" went on and I said, "now I am saved", because I've always felt that since my childhood Sunday school days.

Lynn and I joined St. Stephen 25 years ago. The worship, the Sunday school, the Bible studies, the opportunities to nurture, and the fellowship have been a blessing in my life.

In September 1998, I attended a Via de Cristo weekend. It was a very moving experience. I would recommend it to everybody. In fact, prior to that weekend, I would not have gotten up here and done this.

Lynn talks:

My story is a little different than Dan's. In high school I was active in Methodist Youth Fellowship, and at Ohio State with Wesley Foundation. These were more of a social opportunity with me than an expression of faith.

In the summer of 1978, at St. Stephen, a friend who became very special to Dan and me asked me to attend a series of evangelism classes with him. I believe his invitation and my response were the work of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor McGee was teaching a course called the Evangelism Explosion, which required us to memorize many Bible verses. In October 1978, I was working on Ephesians 2,verse 8, when I suddenly "got it." I realized what God's grace really means.

"For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is a gift of God, not as a result of works, that no one should boast."

During the course of the class that fall, I learned that the "Christian" group my brother was in was a very destructive cult. He had had weapons training and was being used for the leader's advantage.

The Holy Spirit safely led our family through a very unusual year. It never occurred to us that Bill should be left alone, or that we would not be able to help him. Pastor McGee and our friend (now passed away) will never be forgotten for their help. In December 1979, after intense arrangements, deprogrammers helped Bill regain himself.

Ever since then, I have felt the Holy Spirit's presence many times, even though I haven't always put God's call first. When I do, I have never been sorry. I treasure the past and present friendships of our Christian community.

Dan talks:

When I think of what the Holy Spirit and Lynn did for her brother in extricating him from that horrible situation, I realize they saved his life. Each time I think about that, I draw closer to God and closer to Lynn. Amen