Stephen has served as senior pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in West St. Louis County, Missouri since 1988. During his tenure the ministry and mission of St. John has experienced God's phenomenal blessing, more than tripling its membership, facilities, staff and its ministry of outreach to the greater St. Louis community. Worship attendance averages nearly 2,500 souls weekly with the number of people worshiping two or more times per month exceeding 3,500. Stephen and his wife Carol are the parents of two sons, Joshua and Jacob. After more than ten years of teaching in Christian schools, Carol served as the Women's Ministries coordinator of St. John's ministry. Presently she is a licensed real estate agent in the St. Louis area. The Hower’s older son Joshua, an ordained pastor in the LCMS, lives with his family in San Antonio, and the younger son Jacob and wife Melissa live in St. Louis.
Stephen founded the Association of Courageous Churches, a network of congregations committed to establishing effective ministries to their communities. That work continues under the direction of Dr. David Hyatt, a staff member of St. John who consults with churches across the country. Stephen was a co-founder of Pastoral Leadership Institute, and continues to serve as a host congregation and a host site for PLI national conferences.
Stephen has written numerous articles on a wide-range of subjects including parenting, leadership, charitable giving, worship and evangelism. He is a frequent conference speaker and has published four books including, "Sharpening The Sword"– A Call To Strong And Courageous Leadership, "Contrary To Popular Belief" – Unwrapping The Mysteries of Faith, "Dare To Be Different" – A New Life Bible Study For Adults, and "Serenity Principles" – Biblical Direction That Will Change Your Life.
Stephen attributes the success of his ministry solely to the grace of God who consistently raises insignificant people to accomplish great things so that the glory may be to God and not the person.
Stephen's Family: Carol D. Olson, originally from Corpus Christi, Texas. They met in college when Stephen attended Concordia University at Austin. They were married June 1, 1974. They have two sons, Joshua marked to Jennifer, and Jacob married to Melissa, and are the proud grandparents of four grandchildren.
Birthplace: Huntington, Indiana
Previous Ministries Served: Peace Lutheran, Alma, Michigan 1978-1980, St. Paul, Groves, Texas 1980-1986, Synodical Stewardship Department (Seminary Resource Counselor) 1986-1988, St. John's, Ellisville, Mo. 1988 to present.
Favorite Bible Verse: Joshua 1:7
Favorite Psalm: Psalm 103
Favorite Hymn: "Calvary Covers It All"
Favorite Contemporary Christian Song: "The Warrior Is A Child," by Twila Paris
Favorite Book: "Up From Slavery" by Booker T. Washington
Hobbies: golf, hunting, fishing, canoeing, hiking, writing, and reading
Unfulfilled Desire(s): Parachute from a perfectly good airplane. Sing tenor with the Cathedral quartet in heaven. Hit a hole in one(done!) and establish a 10 handicap (done!). Catch a 10# bass. Shoot a 12-point, 200 lbs. Whitetail buck. Grow old with Carol. [Not necessarily in that order. J]
Favorite Food: Corned Beef & Cabbage.
Favorite Food To Cook: Barbecued Brisket or Baby Back Short Ribs.
Ideal Vacation: An isolated cabin on a small fishing lake near a good golf course.
Favorite Thing To Do: Spend a quiet snow-bound evening with Carol, a good movie, and a crackling fire. A close second – hunting white tail deer, after a pleasant day of golf on a beautiful course in the Ozarks.