Leadership
Ministerial Candidates
Curtis Stephens
Paramount, Chapel of Change Christian Fellowship
Briefly describe your testimony of coming to Christ…
I was raised in church until I was 16 years of age. Went to Sunday School, Sunday night & mid week service, VBS. I was hopelessly lost and confused in life looking for happiness. I didn’t find it so I turned to the party scene that involved alcohol and drugs. As a teenager I didn’t have the Lord in my life. Eventually, I became addicted to really bad drugs called meth. I was arrested three times being under the influence at the age of 18 & 19 years of age. When I was arrested it still didn’t change me; I still wanted to party. I had a problem. I hung out with foolish friends and I had a foolish lifestyle. When I was arrested at 21 years of age, I thought my life was over. My mom said, I guess this is where you are going stay for the rest of your life. She was right. A chaplain named Web had a service there in Wayside Medium North Jail. He had a altar call. I went forward & accepted Jesus into my heart and at that moment I cried and felt a new life has began. I have been serving Jesus and following him ever since 1991.
Briefly describe your understanding of God’s calling on your life…
I knew I was called of God to serve his people immediately. I started serving people by leading a Bible Study in jail and prison. When I was released from prison in 1991, I got a job and started to attend a nightly Bible College for 7 years. I received my Bachelor of Theology from Southern California Community Bible College. I knew I had the answers to what this world longs for–his peace, joy, forgiveness and most of all his love that surpasses understanding. I knew the Lord was commissioning me to make disciples of all nations to bring his love to everybody, my neighbors, coworkers, & family.
How did you come to the Free Methodist Church?
I came to the FMC through Pastor Brian Wrath. He was casting vision for people who wanted to be Church Planters. So my wife and I joined Chapel of Change in 2015 to be a Church Planters.