Three Questions is a semi-regular series introducing individuals across the NAB by asking them about their story, their ministry, and what they are learning. This week, we hear from Liz Stevahn, a staff member at One-Eighty Programs in Lodi, California.
What’s your story?
I am from the little town of Lodi, California, in the Central Valley. Most of my family lives within a five-mile radius of each other, including my grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, and brother. From the time I was in high school, I knew God was calling me to be in ministry in some capacity. I graduated from Biola University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Education. Right after I graduated from Biola, I moved to Mexico to serve as a coordinator for short-term mission groups with a missions camp. These groups came from all over the United States and Canada to serve there. We partnered with local churches and ministries in Mexico and coordinated projects and programs in which the visiting groups could participate. After three years, God called me back to Lodi, and I’ve been serving with One-Eighty Programs for the last eleven years. In my time with One-Eighty, my roles have included Homework Club coordinator, Noon-League coach, intentional neighbor, behavior interventionist coach, teacher/admin of Horizon Preschool, and part of the teaching team for our church plant, Kingdom Community. I recently started pursuing a Master of Divinity degree from Kairos University.
What has ministry been like for you?
Ministry in Lodi is more diverse than many people think. I’ve been an intentional neighbor in my apartment complex for eleven years. An intentional neighbor is someone who intentionally relocates into a neighborhood that has been identified by local law enforcement as having an ongoing struggle with crime, gang activity, poverty, and homelessness. Intentional neighbors are tasked with an expressed mission: to become a part of the community, to develop together – with that community – a culture of resiliency and hope, and ultimately to leverage the assets already existent within that community so they can thrive. My neighborhood is prominently comprised of Mexican and Middle Eastern families—and I LOVE it! These families have shown me so much grace and acceptance. When I first moved into this neighborhood, I was the only White person for six square blocks, and everyone was convinced I worked for the police or the government. After a few months of living in this neighborhood, I was no longer an outsider but part of the neighborhood family. . . .
The next cohort of Blue Ocean is now accepting registrants!
Blue Ocean is an entry point into the missional movement of the NAB in which NAB leaders engage in what it means to join God on mission, be formed into the character of Christ, and learn what it means to be a sent people. The cohort meets three times throughout the year and has been a formative piece to the NAB in recent years.
The first gathering takes places October 20–23, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia, and covers the topic “Missional Theology – Joining in with the God of Mission.”
The second gathering is in February 2025 in Auburn, California, with the final one taking place in April 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
Registration is free; the only cost to you is travel and accommodations. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by, as registration closes August 31.
Register for Blue Ocean 2024–25
Did you miss out on taking part in Triennial 2024 but still want to get a sense of the joy, worship, celebration, and community that took place in St. Paul? Or maybe you want to take a quick stroll down not-so-long-ago memory lane? Or it could be you’re just looking for a new profile pic for your social media and think you find a good one of you from Triennial.
Whatever the reason, the pictures from Triennial 2024 are in! And they are free for you to download and share with others!
(All photos – barring a few – taken by Megan O’Connor of Megan Elizabeth Design Company.)
Check Out the Triennial 2024 Photos
Becoming a people of peace.
This was the theme of Triennial 2024, when we gathered as the entire North American Baptist Conference family in St. Paul, Minnesota, this past July 11–14 to hear from a number of pastors and leaders, both within and outside the NAB, such as April Wahl, Dr. Tony and Fabiola Campos, and CBC Executive President Rev. Dr. Charlemagne Nditemeh. But this Triennial was about so much more than just hearing from distinguished speakers and guests. It was about connecting with and supporting one another, celebrating all God is doing and is yet to do, and elevating emerging voices in the NAB – all of which are happening throughout the year. We cannot do this alone or without the faithful support of our NAB family, which is why we invite you to prayerfully consider your part in financially supporting our ongoing efforts with a gift to the Ministry Resource Fund.
When you give $50, $100, $500, or more to the Ministry Resource Fund, you are, in part, helping individuals and churches across the NAB – connecting them to other NAB leaders, celebrating and supporting what God is up to in our midst, and elevating emerging leaders within our Conference.