Graduate Interview with Lewis Stephenson

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Lewis Stephenson, I am married to Sharon, and we have a beautiful 8-month-old baby, Eliza. I love drinking coffee, reading, playing football, and catching up with friends.  I am the pastor of Gortmerron Baptist Church in Benburb, Co. Tyrone. 

2. When did you study at IBC and what was the most beneficial thing you gained from your time here?

I studied at the Irish Baptist College from 2018-2021. Looking back, I foolishly entered College seeing it as an obstacle to ministry. I just needed to get it done, then the ‘real’ ministry would start. But after my first few months, God humbled me. He opened my eyes to see that theological education is foundational for ministry. It deepens the wells of the pastor, allowing him to draw richly in order to better feed God’s people. College ignited a desire within me to continually deepen my well of knowledge, so that I may know and love God more, and serve and love his people more faithfully.

3. What are you doing now that you’ve left the College, and how did your time at IBC help prepare you for that?

I am currently the pastor of Gortmerron Baptist Church and have been here for just over two years. After College I served as the Associate Pastor in Emmanuel Baptist in Lisburn for three years.

College does not teach you everything there is to know about theology—nor is that its purpose. But it does give you a foundation to build upon. College helped me lay a foundation for ministry, namely, a greater confidence in and understanding of the infallible, inerrant, authoritative word of God.

It is the Pastor’s job to bring people the truth, in a world of so much falsehood. If I didn’t have confidence that all of God’s word is true, I would be unfaithful to my calling. 

4. What can we pray for you?

Pray that God will help me each week to remain faithful to my calling.

Pray that God will cause Gortmerron to increase in spiritual maturity.

Pray that God will add to his kingdom in this part of the vineyard.