It is a special privilege to introduce Steve, as our Secretary, and a member
of our Adjunct Faculty and Advisory Board, insomuch as he was one of my most earnest students during my years of teaching
at Pinecrest Bible Training Center, in the 1970’s. Through the years, I
have come to respect and regard him as a true brother, friend, and son in the Lord.
Steve was born in 1956, in Tennessee, the third son of an old Southern
family, among whom were several ministers from the Church of England, as well as Methodist and Church of Christ (all notable
pioneers and early settlers). The town of his ancestors, “Milburnton,”
was named for his paternal ancestors; one of whom was “Captain James Milburn,” whose home has for many years been
preserved as an historic site.
Among his ancestors were stalwart abolitionists; one a devout minister
who survived being “tarred and feathered,” at the hands of an angry mob; because he insisted on welcoming African
slaves to his meetings, and preaching and ministering unto them. Upon another
occasion, this same patriarch in the Faith, boldly and fearlessly, stated in a public assembly: “The Black Man has a
soul and needs to be saved, just the same as a White Man:” As a result,
he was dragged out of the pulpit, and beaten so savagely, that he lost one of his eyes.
Undaunted, he continued for the rest of his life to preach the truth, in the face of fearsome and horrible persecution.
Although Steve was raised in Sunday School and church, it was not until
age eighteen, that he heard a stirring “Salvation Message,” which turned his heart and brought him to a knowledge
of saving grace. For the next four years, he continued to grow in the knowledge
and grace of Jesus Christ, becoming increasingly aware of a calling of God upon his life.
Fall of 1978 found Steve enrolled as a student at Pinecrest, where I served. There, he thrived, and continued to grow spiritually.
The 1980’s brought to him open doors of ministry; locally, and as far as the mainland of China, where he was
privileged to work with dear Brother, M. T. Maxwell, in the task of smuggling many thousands of Bibles into Red China, and
of encouraging the Chinese Believers.
In 1990, Steve and Dawn were joined in holy matrimony. Their home is blessed with six lovely children, all of whom were “taught of the Lord,” and
led to Christ at an early age.
Steve and Dawn have through the years, been a blessing to many; having
served as Pastors and Teachers. The last public meeting in which our dear sister,
Barbara Massie ministered, was at a mid-week Bible-Study at the Fellowship Pastored by Steve and Dawn. Steve has been a true “son” to Sister Massie, Brother Gustav Hoyer, Papa Maxwell (and numerous
others, including myself), over the years. As well as a “son,” Steve
is my brother and friend.
