About The Pastor

Pastor Stephen Scheel
Bachelors (History w/ Teacher's Certificate) from Wheaton College
MDiv from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

When I was six years old I attended a boarding school in Ethiopia for missionary kids. It was there I found out that I was a sinner and needed to ask Jesus to forgive my sin and be my Lord and Savior. Christian schooling taught me a lot about God's Word but I continually had doubts about my own salvation. Years later, in college, I discovered that I had doubted his ability to accept the faith of a six year old boy. This realization gave me an assurance of salvation that continues today.

At a young age I had also felt a desire to become a pastor, so I pursued that goal by attending college and seminary. Upon graduating, I took a teaching position in Florida. During those years of teaching I was able to go into prisons and share God's Word with inmates. There I found the knowledge I had absorbed in all those years of Christian education beginning to be 'squeezed out.'

Since then, God has given me many opportunities to use my gifts and affirm my call to ministry. After my ordination, God led us into pastoral ministry in Illinois. Then He allowed us the opportunity to do missionary work in Japan before calling us to pastor in California. Throughout my thirty-three years of being a Christian, I have learned that God is real and that He is faithful.

Throughout our years in ministry, my wife, Rachel, has been involved in various ways. In Illinois she enjoyed leading a women's Bible study and spear-headed the community youth group. In Japan she helped teach the children's English classes and helped lead the singing in our English Worship Services. During our time in Madera, California she was a part of an 'Experiencing God' study and an AWANA leader. She was involved in making the bulletin and she began 'Oasis'--a mid-week encouragement meeting with an emphasis on singing, sharing and praying. She is gifted at encouraging and helping in many aspects of ministry. Rachel not only complements me but she has been a constant support throughout our years of ministry together.

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