Stephen was born in 1988 in Cookeville, TN, where his parents met whilst attending Tennessee Tech. Shortly after, they moved to Dalton, Georgia where they put down roots and joined First Presbyterian Church, the faith family that taught Stephen that he was first and foremost a beloved child of God. It was this community that taught Stephen that it was OK to have questions and doubts and that nothing he could do could ever possibly separate him from the love of God.
In 1995, his sister, Sarah Kate, joined the family and Stephen began his journey as a life-long musician. Since then, he has found a love of music and has found this gift particularly fitting for his call to ministry. Among the instruments that he enjoys are piano, trumpet, guitar, and handbells. Stephen has always had a love of singing and congregation song. An avid member of the marching band, Stephen was the drum major of his high school's marching band.
In 2006, Stephen began his tenure at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC where he majored in Religion and minored in History. While attending PC, Stephen continued to explore his love of music by participating in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Jazz Trio, as well as playing in the PC Handbell ensemble and playing mandolin and banjo PC's very own bluegrass/rock group, Hosegrass, of which Stephen was a founding member (Hosegrass even released their own CD!).
In 2010, Stephen moved from Clinton to Atlanta to attend Columbia Theological Seminary to pursue God's call on his life to be a pastor in the PC(USA). During this time, Stephen worked at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Silver Creek Presbyterian Church, Central Presbyterian Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. For three years, Stephen served as the Choir Director of Columbia Theological Seminary's choir and also served as the Interim Music Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
In 2014, Stephen graduated from Columbia with a Master of Divinity (M. Div.) and a Master of Arts in Practical Theology (M.A.P.T.) with an emphasis in liturgy, music, and worship.
In July of 2014, Stephen was installed an ordained as Teaching Elder at Shelter Island Presbyterian Church in Shelter Island, NY. During his time in New York, Stephen worked closely with the Synod of the Northeast (PCUSA) and moderated their mission working group, dispersing funds to support new worshiping communities and innovative missional endeavors throughout the region.
In June of 2018, Stephen began his second call as the pastor and head of staff at Beaumont Presbyterian Church in Lexington, KY. Throughout his time with the good folks of Beaumont, we’ve weathered a global pandemic, made strategic changes to our committee/team structure to better reflect our current needs, and made a public commitment to be an LGBTQIA+ affirming congregation by joining More Light Presbyterians. In spring of 2021, we partnered with a new emergent, predominantly LGBTQIA+ congregation of young adults called Woven Church. Together, Beaumont and Woven are working together to proclaim a radically inclusive Gospel, one that preaches Good News to those who need the redemptive love of Christ. In June 2022, Beaumont and Woven will share a booth at the Lexington Pride festival in shared witness to God’s love for all God’s children, no matter their sexuality or gender expression.
In June of 2020, in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stephen and Tricia welcomed their first child, Hazel Grace to the world. Her interests are singing, reading with her mom and dad, counting, singing Twinkle Twinkle Litter Star, and watching an adorable, amazing Australian kids show named Bluey.
In January of 2022, Stephen, Tricia, and Hazel Grace welcomed a new addition to their home, Windsor (Winnie) Garrett Fearing. Winnie, unlike her big sister who was always on the move at her age, is perfectly content to snuggle the day away and snooze to her heart’s content.