In 2019, Steve founded WAVE & Associates, LLC. He was vocationally stuck somewhere between being a pastor, a teacher, a coach, a creative, & an entrepreneur. He solved this dilemma by starting WAVE. Steve worked in education for fourteen years (2007-2020) holding a variety of positions (teacher, coach, administrator); served in a mainline denominational church as a bi-vocational pastor for seven years (2010-2017); &, was in the marketplace for approximately twenty years—from retail & hospitality early on to later working as an executive, consultant, & entrepreneur (1986-2006). Steve integrates his experience in ministry, education, & business with leading research from theology, philosophy, psychology, & neuroscience as well as leadership development.

EDUCATION: Emory University, Candler School of Theology; Master of Divinity, 2015 (Concentrations: Society & Personality; Leadership in Church & Community); Brenau University; MBA, 1997

The concentration in Society & Personality “explores the personal & social dynamics of religious experience, practice & community with keen attention to their felt meaning, cultural expression & institutional embodiment. Through psychological, sociological & cultural inquiry, it enables students to engage & interpret faith lived out in love, work & public witness in local churches, national denominations & global movements, across lines of gender, race, generation & nation.” https://candler.emory.edu/academics/degrees/mdiv/mdiv-concentrations.html

The concentration in Leadership in Church & Community “educates students in the analytic frameworks, critical perspectives, practices, skills & practical theological patterns of reflection necessary for effective leadership in contemporary churches & community organizations.” https://candler.emory.edu/academics/degrees/mdiv/mdiv-concentrations.html

LICENSING, TRAINING, CERTIFICATIONS: Licensed Local Pastor, United Methodist Church; QPR Suicide First Aid Training, Avita; Human Trafficking, Street Grace; Darkness to Light Child Abuse Prevention, Emory; Mental Health First Aid, Emory; NICABM Coursework: “Expert Strategies for Working with Traumatic Memory,” & “Practical Skills for Working with a Client’s Anger;" OnSite Workshop Courses “The Ways We Grieve,” Unlearning Shame,” Identifying Narcissism,” & “Rediscovering You;” Barna Resilient Pastors Workshop, “Top 5 Reasons for Pastor Burnout.”

VOLUNTEER: Victory Home (addiction/rehab); Waypoint (addiction/rehab); Good News at Noon (homeless shelter); Safehouse Outreach (homeless shelter); Central Presbyterian Shelter (homeless shelter); Lakeview Academy Middle School FCA Director; Chair-elect, Lakeview Academy Board of Trustees.

Qualified + Unqualified

“The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:15-17)

Attributions + Acknowledgements

WAVE name and logo by Forum Communications; photos of Steve by Lyndsey Pethel Photography; Who Is My Neighbor? logo by Joe Price Design.