 Word of Life is pleased to announce its newest Ministry Staff member - Chad Stewart. Chad, who will head Word of Life’s College and Career Ministry, was born in Nixa, Missouri just 10 minutes south of Springfield. He played tight end and defensive end for the football team and forward for the basketball team in high school.
After high school he attended Missouri State University in Springfield taking general education classes and later moved to Kansas City to attend school there. While attending a local church in Kansas City, he ran into his former youth pastor who asked him if he would like to be part of pioneering a new church. Chad jumped at the opportunity.
Over the next 5-6 years he worked as the associate pastor at Revival Generation Church, a nondenominational church in Kansas City. After some time Chad became aware that all the rest of the staff had Bible School training. The Holy Spirit began to deal with Chad to get the training he would need to be successful in ministry. One of his friends, a RHEMA Bible Training Center graduate told Chad about RHEMA Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow OK. Chad had also read a book by Kenneth Hagin that stirred his heart and it was then Chad knew where the Lord was calling him to attend.
In 2006 he began classes at RHEMA and graduated in 2008 from the Pastor’s Group. While at RHEMA he was able to realize a long time dream of playing college basketball. The first year he played for the RHEMA Eagles the team won the National Championship. Chad played as a forward for the Eagles both years.
In 2006, while playing basketball Chad met Sarah Hennenfent who played for the RHEMA Lady Eagles. It was Chad’s first year and Sarah’s third year. Sarah graduated in 2007 from the Youth and Extended Studies Programs. After graduation she enrolled at ORU and graduated in May of 2009 with a Business Degree.
From 2007 – 2008, Chad was employed by RHEMA as the grounds supervisor overseeing the 100 acre RHEMA campus and about 13 employees. He was in charge of landscaping, mowing, and general care and maintenance of the campus grounds.
In January 2009 he left RHEMA and moved back to Nixa, MO to sell Property & Casualty Insurance, all the while seeking God for an open door into the ministry. He had several offers to work with youth but did not feel that was where God wanted him. He had always had the college age group on his heart.
In August of 2009, Chad and Sarah became engaged, and set a wedding date for May 15, 2010. They will be getting married at RHEMA and will honeymoon out of state. They plan to reside in Tulsa. Sarah will be continuing her education at ORU in the summer of 2010 with plans to earn her Masters Degree in Business Administration.
While seeking God for direction, Chad was searching RHEMA’s alumni site when he saw an opportunity at Word of Life. He emailed his resume to Jack Barnes, the church administrator. Within hours of receiving Chad’s resume Jack responded and Chad was invited to come and speak to our College and Career group. It was a good fit and some of the young people shared how they enjoyed his ministry. Within the next few weeks Chad was asked to join our Ministry Team as our new College and Career Pastor.
We are blessed to have Chad and Sarah and expect great things for this ministry. Chad has an abundance of ideas for this age group.
For more information please contact Chad at 918-245-0262 or cstewart@WOLonline.net. You are also welcome to visit us at 1402 North 81 West Avenue, Sand Springs, OK. The College and Career group meets every Wednesday 7:30 p.m. in our Hospitality Room.
We hope to see you there. |
