Pastor Steve has served in full-time ministry for more than 38 years. Born in Athens, Georgia, he grew up in college towns across the Southeast as his family followed his father’s teaching career. Before entering full-time ministry, Steve taught and coached in public schools. He completed his Master of Divinity in 1999 while pastoring full-time and raising a family, and he has served Southern Baptist churches across Western
North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina, and Georgia.
For the past 30 years, he has served as a Lead Pastor, including his ministry at McConnell Memorial Baptist Church since 2014. His ministry is marked by faithful biblical preaching, pastoral care, and a desire to help people grow as devoted followers of Christ. Steve attended Western Carolina University on an athletic scholarship and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1985, where he also met his wife, Desi Frady. Steve and Desi have been married for 42 years and have two children, Megan and Andrew, and five grandchildren. Outside of ministry, Pastor Steve enjoys reading, fly-fishing, occasional golf played by NATO Rules “Not Attached to Outcome”, and time with family, grandchildren, and friends.
North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina, and Georgia.
For the past 30 years, he has served as a Lead Pastor, including his ministry at McConnell Memorial Baptist Church since 2014. His ministry is marked by faithful biblical preaching, pastoral care, and a desire to help people grow as devoted followers of Christ. Steve attended Western Carolina University on an athletic scholarship and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1985, where he also met his wife, Desi Frady. Steve and Desi have been married for 42 years and have two children, Megan and Andrew, and five grandchildren. Outside of ministry, Pastor Steve enjoys reading, fly-fishing, occasional golf played by NATO Rules “Not Attached to Outcome”, and time with family, grandchildren, and friends.