self portrait 89'

"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty:"
1Corinthians 1:27

Thank you for checking out our website. My story is simple. A sinner, saved by grace, looking for my Jesus to come back - soon.

I was born in Flint, Michigan and raised to be an artist. Through the struggles of growing up as an artist in a "shop town", I always had my art to hold on to. So, at 19 I headed for L.A. to escape Flint and attend Art Center College of Design. It was there that the darkness of my soul began to truly expose itself as I became a weekend club kid in the clubs of Hollywood. It was also at that time when I met my future bride Janice, who the Lord continues to use to straighten me out. We were married shortly after graduation and even more quickly found out how impossible it was for two diverse people with different goals, perversions, and gods to stay together. I was dead in my sins, and Janice was a missionary's daughter who should have never even considered dating me, let alone promise to stay with me until death. As my career objectives grew, along with my lusts, it was obvious something needed to happen, and it did. God stepped in.

While attending an EST seminar one evening, Janice found herself recommitting to the foundation of faith she had been raised with. Confronted by new age philosophy that tried to offer her a better life, but who's cisterns could hold no water, she returned to the Truth she knew would sustain her. I followed in faith one night shortly after while alone in my studio watching a TV evangelist. The reality that no amount of talent nor worldly success could rescue me from the pit of hell I was headed towards became shockingly real. That night I gave my life, my sin, and my perversions to Jesus in exchange for His righteousness, and I have never looked back. I was raised Lutheran, and Janice was brought up Nazarene. We both did not want what the other had to offer, so we stepped into a Calvary Chapel, and for the first time heard God's Word telling us about the love He had for us.

In 1991, the Lord called us to move to Chicago where I would continue my career as a freelance fashion illustrator as well as accepting a position as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Art Institute of Chicago. Almost immediately, we understood we had been called to Chicago for much more then the art. We got involved in ministry at Calvary Chapel Blue Island doing whatever was needed, and in 1998 I was asked to step up as senior pastor. I reluctantly accepted the call and have been amazed ever since by God's grace and unfailing faithfulness to His people and to me.

I still teach at SAIC and will continue to do so until the Lord reveals a different plan to me. Janice and I celebrate being together for over 25 years and that our 3 grown children all know Jesus and serve Him. I maintain my studio and illustrate as the Lord provides work, but my heart is to be used by our gracious Creator to reveal Himself to His needful creation by my life and calling. The truth that God became a Man and offered Himself as a perfect Sacrifice so that we could be reconciled to Him is the truly amazing creativity I now seek to express.

Power ON in Christ
Steve

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