R. Steven Warner
R. Steven Warner was born in the Dominican Republic, to missionary parents, on April 30, 1949. During his single digit years he alternatively lived in the Dominican Republic and the United States, and then moved to Argentina when he was twelve.
In Buenos Aires, Argentina he attended a British school, Saint Alban’s College, for his secondary education. Prior to graduation he began preaching, and ensuingly felt the call of God on his life for the ministry.
At the age of seventeen he returned to the United States, enrolling at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. There he met his future wife, Vickie, and they married in Greenville, South Carolina on June 14, 1969. Their marriage has engendered four children (Tamara, Sean, Tiffany, and Courtney) and five grandchildren (Theo, Warner, Maddie, Annie, and Fletcher).
During the summer of their marriage the new couple served as intern pastors in Spartanburg, South Carolina. On returning to Florida, Steve assumed the position of youth pastor at a church in St. Petersburg, and transferred to Clearwater Christian College, graduating in 1972.
In the fall of that year he enrolled in the Master of Arts program at Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL). He received his MA degree in Communications (magna cum laude) in 1973.
Upon graduation, Steve assumed the position of Vice President of Marketing with Christian Communications of Chicagoland, which purchased and operated Channel 38 in Chicago (known today as Total Living Network). Working with Owen Carr, Steve was part of the television project from the time it was an idea until it went on the air.
Thereafter, in early 1975, the Warners accepted the assignment to plant a new church in Evergreen Park, IL through the auspices of the Stone Church of Palos Heights, IL. Maranatha Chapel grew quickly, becoming a flagship church in missions giving. During the subsequent twenty three years Steve Warner provided leadership for the congregation. Numerous Chicago area churches were mothered under his direction during his tenure.
At the same time, Steve was elected to numerous boards and positions within his denomination, the Assemblies of God. He served as presbyter in two Chicago sections, then as District Executive Presbyter, Assistant District Superintendent, and as a General Presbyter for the denomination. He has also served for almost 30 years as a board member of Teen Challenge Illinois.
In 1998, Steve received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL. During the same year he became the Senior Pastor of the Oak Brook Community Church, resigning in 2006. For a year he served in itinerant and missionary ministry, and then as the Interim Lead Pastor at The Stone Church at Palos Heights, IL.
Pastor Steve now serves as the Lead Pastor of Brockton Assembly of God in Brockton, Massachusetts. The church is noted for its cultural diversity, with over 30 nationalities represented in the congregation. The church meets in a one-hundred year old edifice where notables, such as Billy Sunday, have ministered.
Steve has preached in over twenty five countries. His avocations include collecting books, fountain pens, signatures, and rare documents. He enjoys road trips, biking, hiking, and travel in general. In the process of his travels, he has been to all fifty states and almost as many countries, having numerous adventures along the way.
Pastor Steve Warner has been both married and a credentialed minister for over forty years. His main life goal continues to be to glorify the Lord Jesus by knowing Him personally and making Him known to others.