Steve Parnell Bio
Steve is a third generation Oregonian, and one of 5 children. He was born in Eugene in 1954. Steve is a graduate of McNary High School in Salem, holds a BA in Business Administration, from Point Loma Nazarene University, in San Diego, CA and a MA in Teaching, from George Fox University, in Newberg, OR. Steve has lived in Central Oregon for the last 29 years. When he retired from teaching at La Pine High School in 2019, he moved to Redmond from Bend that year.
Spiritually, Steve was raised in the Church of the Nazarene from birth, and personally came to know Christ at age 15 at the "Twin Rocks" Summer Youth Camp. While attending Point Loma University, Steve met his first wife Cathy. They were married for 31 years and served together in many capacities at various Nazarene Churches over that time. Together they have 3 sons, Jason, Casey & Corey. After Cathy, Steve suffered pain, loss and the trauma of a 2nd divorce in 2020.
After his first divorce, Steve endured what he describes as pain and abandonment by the church as he went through the most difficult and trying time of his life and faith. But it was while going through counseling and therapy, recovering from the trauma of divorce, that Steve experienced the healing, restoration and renewal in his relationship with Christ.
A true product of the healing and restorative power of God’s grace, Steve met his now wife Michelle while working part time at Lowes in Redmond. While dating, Steve and Michelle began attending Redmond Community Church and were married by Pastor Tom in January 2022.
After their marriage, Steve and Michelle both began serving as greeters at RCC and in that Spring, agreed to facilitate one of RCC’s engage groups. Steve was approached by Pastor Tom about considering being an elder based on witnessing Steve’s passion for connecting, loving and wanting to serve others. Steve said “Initially my response was ‘no’ because of all of the things I thought made me unworthy.” But as he sought the Lord, the response was to “Step in and Serve.” Steve began an arduous mentoring and accountability training with Pastor Tom in September of 2022.
Steve & Michelle would say that they are living proof of God’s grace, love and healing. Combining their 2 families, they now have 5 amazing children and grandchildren. Steve is heavily involved in RCC’s Men's ministries, Agoge men's group, and leading an Engage group with his wife Michelle. And when not at RCC, Steve can be found connecting men in churches all through Redmond over coffee and enjoying traveling with His wife Michelle, especially wherever his boys are playing music.
Spiritually, Steve was raised in the Church of the Nazarene from birth, and personally came to know Christ at age 15 at the "Twin Rocks" Summer Youth Camp. While attending Point Loma University, Steve met his first wife Cathy. They were married for 31 years and served together in many capacities at various Nazarene Churches over that time. Together they have 3 sons, Jason, Casey & Corey. After Cathy, Steve suffered pain, loss and the trauma of a 2nd divorce in 2020.
After his first divorce, Steve endured what he describes as pain and abandonment by the church as he went through the most difficult and trying time of his life and faith. But it was while going through counseling and therapy, recovering from the trauma of divorce, that Steve experienced the healing, restoration and renewal in his relationship with Christ.
A true product of the healing and restorative power of God’s grace, Steve met his now wife Michelle while working part time at Lowes in Redmond. While dating, Steve and Michelle began attending Redmond Community Church and were married by Pastor Tom in January 2022.
After their marriage, Steve and Michelle both began serving as greeters at RCC and in that Spring, agreed to facilitate one of RCC’s engage groups. Steve was approached by Pastor Tom about considering being an elder based on witnessing Steve’s passion for connecting, loving and wanting to serve others. Steve said “Initially my response was ‘no’ because of all of the things I thought made me unworthy.” But as he sought the Lord, the response was to “Step in and Serve.” Steve began an arduous mentoring and accountability training with Pastor Tom in September of 2022.
Steve & Michelle would say that they are living proof of God’s grace, love and healing. Combining their 2 families, they now have 5 amazing children and grandchildren. Steve is heavily involved in RCC’s Men's ministries, Agoge men's group, and leading an Engage group with his wife Michelle. And when not at RCC, Steve can be found connecting men in churches all through Redmond over coffee and enjoying traveling with His wife Michelle, especially wherever his boys are playing music.