In Memory of Steve Stetler

I first met Steve Stetler when my sister and brother-in-law began to make preparations to go to the mission field in Mexico under the Bible Methodist Conference. Truthfully, I never got to know him past a few interactions and greetings over several years. When I heard about his passing, I was shocked and broken-hearted for his family and for my family. See, over the years, Steve and Beth had spent countless hours and trips as they mentored my sister and brother-in-law in preparation for missions. They had taken them under their wing as if they were their own children and given them a home away from home while they were in language school in south Texas. I can only imagine the countless hours they spent lifting them up in prayer. And after Ivone and Brennan welcomed 2 little boys, they became special to Steve and Beth as well. And the boys LOVED them, especially Mr. Steve. They always wanted to tell me about how they played all day at Mr. Steve's house when we would video chat. When you can't be with family, anyone that shows your loved one's kindness becomes dear to you. This is what the Stetlers are to me. The sad truth is I regret never having taken the time to let Mr. Steve know how much I admired him, how impressed I was with his Spanish, how much I appreciated his love for the Mexican church and my family and how challenging his life story was for me as a Christian. It’s too late for me to share this with him, so I have decided to start this page for anyone else who wishes to show their appreciation for who he was.

He was always warm, kind and spoke to me as if I had something worth listening to. That's because there were three things people knew about Steve Stetler, he loved Jesus, his family, people, and he loved them well. This was seen and felt it in some capacity through his ministry in teaching and preaching or really, in any interaction people had with him, you walked away knowing Steve knew Jesus and he loved you like Jesus. Steve was a very real example of Christ. He was so kind and generous, a servant.

Story after story has flooded social media with the deep impact Steve had on the lives of hundreds of individuals. Some of these have been by adults that are recalling stories from their youth when he was their teacher, and many of them are from teenagers and young adults during his time as an evangelist. There is no doubt Steve’s ministry and life reached many generations.

Many organizations and schools will likely be starting scholarships to continue his legacy in his honor and to support his wife and family he leaves behind. Please feel free to use these outlets if you choose to. This is just one more, easy way for young people to give back for everything that Steve gave in his years on this earth.

Ms. Beth, I hope you know how special he was to so many people, young and old. You are in our prayers.

All funds will be going to his wife, Beth Stetler to use as needed in the days to come.