[Pastor Steve was officially installed in January, 2012 as pastor of Gracepoint. This is the brief testimony that he shared at his installation.]

I was born and raised in Salem, Oregon and have three older brothers and a younger sister.  I grew up in the Presbyterian Church, but in college, I left the church.  After about ten years of wandering in the desert of the world, I met Steve Parnell, who mentored me through the Bible.

As I learned and grew, he and my Dad encouraged me to go back to church.  I started going to Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend, Oregon with my friends Vito and Lyndie Vaccaro.  It was at Trinity that I heard and understood the pure, unconditional love that God has revealed to us in what Jesus Christ has done for us on the cross.  The realization that Jesus died for us and that He wants us to honor and worship Him changed my life; and in 2002, I felt God’s call to the ministry.

 I had already completed my undergraduate degree in German and International Studies, received my teaching certificate for secondary education, and worked in the computer industry for 13 years.  All of these experiences prepared be, in God’s own way, for the ministry.  In 2008, I graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, with a Master of Divinity Degree.

Myra and I met during Seminary. We were married in 2007 and the Lord blessed us with a daughter, Anya, in 2009. Myra is working part-time as an accountant/bookkeeper for a local law firm. She is pregnant with our second child, due in July. Myra and I enjoy spending evenings reading, praying and singing with Anya, going for walks together, and sleeping when we can.

Gracepoint bought their current property and was chartered in early 2010. I formally accepted the congregation’s call to be the first pastor of Gracepoint in March 2011. After nine months (“in the fullness of time”), it seemed good to celebrate with an installation. Thank you all for sharing this special day with us!

 
Pastor Steve Patton