Chris Steig

While in high school, he visited several Baptist colleges. Chris's visit to Fairhaven impressed him because of its serious students and their desire to serve God. It was around that time that God called him into the ministry. Like many, Chris struggled with God's call, but eventually he submitted to God's leadership in his life.

In the fall of 1998 Chris enrolled at Fairhaven in the Pastoral Theology (Greek) program. He graduated in 2002 with a bachelor's degree and again in 2003 with a Master of Arts in Bible. Although Chris enjoyed all of his classes at Fairhaven, he most appreciated the many Bible and theology classes.

While at Fairhaven, Chris was involved with the bus ministry in central Gary, Indiana, under Mr. Brian Rinehart. Visiting the kids' houses every Saturday helped him develop personal relationships, and share the Gospel with them and their parents. This experience would prove helpful for his future ministry.

Though he learned a lot academically, Chris says that it is safe to say that the greater half of what he learned was outside of the classroom-in the bus ministry, door-to-door evangelism, and simply taking part in the church. Dr. Voegtlin and the many other preachers at Fairhaven were a blessing to Chris, deepening his spiritual life. He was continually challenged by the themes of soulwinning, revival, and determination never to quit.

Just before graduating from the Master's program in 2003, Chris was seeking God's will as to where he should go. In prayer meeting one Saturday night, a fellow student, Joe Lemon, who is now a missionary to South Korea, introduced Chris to a missionary friend of his named Jim Taylor. Brother Taylor asked Chris to go to South Korea to be a part of his ministry. Surprise gave way to reluctance as Chris considered moving six thousand miles away to a foreign country. In the months following, he prayed about the opportunity as he corresponded with Brother Taylor by email. God gave him peace and reassurance, and he moved to South Korea in November 2003 to begin ministering among the Korean people.

Teaching English in Pastor Taylor's Lighthouse Institute in Gunsan not only provides Chris with a visa and income, but also gives him the opportunity to minister to the kindergarten and elementary students with Bible verses, Bible songs, and Bible-based English curricula. Chris tries to reach them with the Gospel as opportunities arise in class, and also during their monthly "story days," during which time he gives them an invitation to be saved. Chris says that one of the greatest blessings is being able to answer a kindergartener's question: "Why did Jesus have to die?" and be able to lead students to the Lord after story day.

A week after Chris's arrival in Korea, Pastor Taylor started Victory Baptist Church in nearby Jeonju. Chris's responsibilities there include teaching adult Sunday School, filling the pulpit when necessary, ministering at the local Korean Army base, as well as being the church pianist and treasurer. He enjoys being able to share the Gospel on the streets of Jeonju, or in the Buddhist mountain villages. He was also involved in starting Victory Baptist Bible College to train Koreans for ministry. He has been blessed with serious Korean students, as well as some students from India and Myanmar who have gone back to their own countries and started churches.

One of the main challenges Chris has faced is learning the Korean language. The spoken language has been much harder than the written language. However, God has given him the grace to be able to teach Sunday School and King's Kids in the Korean language. They are also in the midst of producing a translation of the Bible in Korean based on the Textus Receptus.
Chris is thankful for both the academic and practical training that he received at Fairhaven Baptist College, preparing him to face the many challenges of serving the Lord on the mission field.