I am a man in need of Jesus. I am a husband to Miranda, a father to Kasen and Kesleigh, a son, a brother, a friend, a youth minister, a guitar player, a blogger (www.stevecorn.com ), a scuba diver, a DVR addict, and a BlueBell-a-holic.
I grew up in a middle class family in Oklahoma, and moved to Texas as a 6th grader. My parents forced me to go to church, but I fought it as much as possible until I attended a youth summer camp in Meridian State Park the summer before I turned 16. Sitting around a campfire that night, I experienced the incredible love of God for the first time. (Well, I had probably experienced it before, but I understood it for the first time that night.) I chose to follow Jesus that night and gave Him my life.
While I was in High School, I began helping with youth ministry and I took my first official youth ministry position the summer after graduating – 1987. I soon found myself serving full-time at a church in Tomball, TX and remained there for 12 years.
God used that time to train me and allowed me to be a part of an incredible ministry to our community. Through that ministry, I was able to watch our students, graduate and begin incredible ministries of their own. Some did mission work in Africa, some in Costa Rica, and Egypt, while others planted churches, and led worship. I am privileged to have seen some of the fruit of my youth ministry labor – but recognize that only the Spirit of God can do that kind of work. I’m grateful that He allowed me to be a part of it.
Toward the end of my time there, I met my bride, Miranda. After getting married, we decided to start a new life and I took a new youth ministry position in Lake Jackson, TX. (www.ljfumc.org) We serve here together and love the students. God gave us an incredible blessing last year with our first child Kasen, and Miranda gave birth to our second child, Kesleigh in February 2009. These are exciting days with an amazing God! Steve Corn Interview with Small Group Trader
Small Group Trader: When did you decide to serve in Small Group Ministry?
Steve Corn: I entered ministry quite unexpectedly, by serving as a church camp leader the summer after graduating high school. I started as a volunteer, and then took my first part-time position a year later. Since then, I have served 17 years in full-time ministry. Small groups have been vital to the health and growth of each program, but right now I’m most excited about a small group of young families where my bride and I have recently become involved.
Small Group Trader: What encouragement would you offer to small group leaders out there?
Steve Corn: Time is your best friend. God operates outside your calendar. The longer you persevere, the deeper your relationships will be, and the more rewarding your ministry. Continue to love those in your group and offer them the grace, freedom, joy, passion, and peace that is in Jesus. Spend time together. Decide to grow old together, and if the season comes for you to depart, embrace it knowing that you gave all you could and that Christ is enough.
Small Group Trader: In what ways have you and your spouse/family grown spiritually since you have been involved in this ministry?
Steve Corn: My personal times with God in conjunction with the interactions and relational aspects of small group ministry have created fertile ground for God to do His work in me. As our small groups have wrestled together through Scripture and life, our roots have grown deeper – both in our relationship with God and with each other. Small groups change everything - who we are and how we see the world is influenced by them. I am a better husband, father, employee, Christian. . .well, I’m just a better man because of my small group.
Small Group Trader: Why does small group ministry play such a critical role in the church today?
Steve Corn: The church today has become mega-sized allowing people to hide in a crowd or slip and out on a Sunday morning without ever engaging in or becoming a part of the body of Christ. Small groups are the perfect arena for reversing this trend. Everyone is someone in a small group. Intimate and non-threatening, a healthy small group gives everyone a voice, and cares/loves them. As the world isolates people in cubicles and behind computer screens, small groups connect them to one another.