Pastor Profile: Rev. Stephen R. Vance
Raised in Ft. Myers, Florida and a graduate of Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana (Class of 1968), Steve holds the Master of Divinity (1981) and Doctor of Ministry(1991) degrees from Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia. Dr. Vance served the Riverside(1981-84) and Lake Shore (1984-92) congregations in Jacksonville, Florida and First Presbyterian Church (1992-98) in Muskegon, Michigan prior to being called to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Greenville, in 1998 He has served the Easley Presbyterian Church (2006-07) and currently Fourth Presbyterian Church(2007-present) as interim associate pastor. Dr. Vance served in the U.S. Navy 1967-71 being honorably discharged as a Petty Officer 2ndClass (E-5) Communications Technician. He received training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, IL and Corey Field, Pensacola, FL prior to being stationed at the Naval Communications Station, Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii. Prior to responding to God’s call through the church to pursue ordained Christian ministry Steve was a vice president of West Coast Insulation Companyin Ft. Myers, FL (1971-75) with responsibly in sales and office management. The Rev.Vance has served the Presbyterian Church as deacon (1972-75) and elder(1975-76) of the Moorings Presbyterian Church, Naples, FL., and as a member of the Pastor Nominating Committee of that congregation. During his seminary years Steve served the Bethel Presbyterian Church in the Picket Post Community of Oconee County, South Carolina as summer intern and occasional pulpit supply. Upon graduation he received the Indian town Small Church Award for his service to that small congregation. His peers selectedhis as president of their Senior Class at Columbia. He has chaired presbytery missions committees in both St. Augustine Presbytery and Lake Michigan Presbytery, and led the Mutual Mission Program of St. Augustine Presbytery in its partnership with the Jamaica Ecumenical Mutual Mission over aspan of 9 years. As a member of Foothills Presbytery he served on its Witness & Service Committee and onthe Committee for Preparation for Ministry. Rev. Vance’s international mission experience includesextensive work in both Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. Steve and his wife Vonnie were married in1966 and reside near downtown Greenville, South Carolina. They are the parents of two adult children and two grandchildren. Son Mike and his wife Debbie and their daughters Meghan (10) & Helen(7) reside in Asheville, North Carolina. Daughter Elaine and her husband John Myers live in Greenville. Click here to return to the Staff page. Click here to return to the Home page.
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