Synod welcomes Chris Hicks

We are deeply grateful for the dedication, commitment and leadership provided by Sally Ahrens in the many roles she has filled in her service to the synod, especially for the most recent work she has done being Peggy's assistant for 12 1/2 years. Her partnership has been instrumental in attention to details, high quality events and much more. The high integrity of Sally's work is much appreciated.  You can join us in thanking Sally by writing a short note with your own thoughts to Peggy@gulfcoastsynod.org as she will collect them to be gifted to Sally when we celebrate her ministry. 

In order to have a good transition there will be an overlap between Sally and new leadership. We are very happy to announce that Chris Hicks will join Peggy and the whole staff beginning this week.  This is a wonderful time as we celebrate and transition together. 

"God's word. Our hands." Not just words but a challenge, one that Chris has taken seriously at Living Word in Katy, where she and her family have been members for 20 years. Egypt, Bolivia, and Indonesia are all places they have also called home. Whether organizing a Global Mission Festival, teaching, weaving to garbage collectors in Cairo or working with Peggy on this new synod leadership development initiative, Chris is always amazed and excited to see what God is up to!

New Pastor - Stephen W. Martin

Born October 13, 1965 in Tucson, AZ, Stephen is the son of Thurman and Mildred Martin.  He is the youngest of four siblings; he has two sisters, Shirley Lewis and Susan Dorsey and one brother Tim Martin all living in Arizona. 

Stephen married Diana on December 20, 2003.  They are the parents of five children Jessie Escamillas who resides in Savannah, GA, Sonya Escamillas, Melissa Franco, Edwin Martin, and Corbin Martin all living in Arizona.  He also has five grandchildren Isaiah, Billie, Elijah, Dakota, and Chloe.

He was baptized in October of 1975 at Columbia Street Baptist Church in Tucson, Arizona.  Stephen began to feel a call from God in High School and began to serve God’s people as a medic in the military.  He followed a family tradition that began with his Grandfather to serve in the military.

Stephen graduated from Sunnyside High School in May of 1984.  He entered military service in December of 1986 where he received his AS degree at the Community College of the Air Force in Physical Therapy and served as a medic.  He continued to serve as an Administrative Specialist after he received his BS degree in Human Resource Management from Park College. 

Fourteen years ago Stephen went through a series of events that changed his life forever.  It started with the death of his mother and his children being in a car that was struck by a drunk driver that put his oldest son Edwin in a coma for two days.  When Edwin woke up his entire left side was paralyzed.  Stephen lived in the hospital with his son for three months.  Edwin recovered but still has deficits on his left side.  Stephen continued to feel a call from God and he wanted to help others that were experiencing life changing events as well.  So he began his quest to become an Army Chaplain.

Being a member of the Choctaw Nation he received a Native American scholarship from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary where he was able to attend Wartburg Theological Seminary as well in the fall of 2007.  He graduated with his MDIV in the summer of 2010 and began his internship year, where he served a two-point parish with St. Luke Lutheran Church in Fort Smith, AR and Faith Lutheran Church in Booneville, AR.

Stephen has been called as a Military Chaplain in the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center to serve Military Members, Veterans, and their families who are experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, mental illness, and other physical ailments.