Steven did his undergraduate work at Olivet Nazarene University, majoring in Biblical Literature with continuing studies in ministry at Living Word Bible College. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Ministry, a Ph.D. in Counseling, and has served as Professor of Christian Studies for Trinity University, Canada Christian College, and Christian Growth College. In addition, Steven has taught at numerous ministry schools in Canada, England, Australia, Russia, New Zealand, and Finland. He is also a founding board member of Missito College, which is soon to open as “a university without walls” - offering classroom and open learning experiences in “applied ministry” studies.

Serving in the leadership team of Team Thrust for the Nations for four years, Steven helped to train over a thousand Christians in Empowered Evangelism Ministry. Together the group saw over 12,000 people come to the Lord on the streets of New York, New Orleans, Atlanta, Chicago, and other major cities throughout the United States - often witnessing healings and miracles ministered through so-called “average Christians“ working on the streets through the empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit. Steven has been a part of the recent renewal movement since the early beginning. In 1993, Steven was a part of the leadership team of a regional pastor’s retreat in Wisconsin and asked Randy Clark from St. Louis, MO to share his testimony. The Spirit of God fell upon all those present at the meeting in a mighty way as evidenced by spontaneous emotional and physical healings throughout the gathering. In that meeting, Steven’s back, which had been broken several years earlier and was a source of constant pain, was miraculously healed. Three days later, at a meeting if the National Council of the Vineyard Association in Anaheim, CA. Steven shared the testimony of his back being healed and, again, the Spirit fell. John Arnott, pastor of the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship, was present and experienced a dramatic move of God. Later that day he asked Steven if he could help arrange a visit for Randy to come to Toronto for “a few days of ministry.” The meetings at Toronto turned into one of the most historic events in modern Christian church history and sparked a series of meetings throughout the world that became the catalyst of a global awakening – touching thousands of churches and an estimated seventy million Christians worldwide. Steven shared at the Toronto church the second week of the renewal and has been back numerous times since to teach and minister. Some of his ministry accounts in renewal are chronicled in Dr. Guy Chevreau’s book, “Share the Fire”, and Randy Clarks book, “God Used Little Ole’ Me;” which have both enjoyed worldwide distribution. Steven’s own published work, “Living as a Prophetic People” has been distributed in more than forty countries. His latest book, “Through Jacob’s Portal” is due to be released in the Spring of 2006.

As an artist, Steven is a certified graphics arts and fine arts instructor and he has personally produced over 1000 original works of art. He has also composed over sixty songs and recently finished a book of original poems entitled “Ambient Light”. In addition, Steven has managed and produced several international dance and art tours in the United States, Canada, England and Russia. He believes that the arts can provide a unique means of proclaiming God’s message that can overcome many of the barriers to the gospel often experienced in modern day cultures.

Steven’s wife, Rachel, is an internationally acclaimed performing artist, choreographer, author, and teacher who trained and performed at the Royal Ballet in London, England and the Kirov Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. She has also performed with the Nashville Ballet, Ballet West, the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Society and other internationally known dance companies. Rachel was Guest Artist and Choreographer for the “England World Worship Tour” in 1998, bringing together dancers and musicians from several countries for a Christian celebration in the arts tour throughout the UK. Among her other accomplishments, Rachel was personal dance instructor and choreographer for Tess Boyer - Miss Junior Teen America 2005.Her original musical production, entitled, “The Visitation” was co-written with her husband Steven and has been performed with a cast of over forty members at numerous venues throughout the United States. Rachel is also a published poet and was nominated as Poet of the Year 2002 by the International Poet’s Society. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Performing Arts, is a faculty member of Christian Growth College, and has frequently guest taught in other schools in the United States, Canada, and England.Rachel is also active with Steven in ministry working in prophetic gifting, gift of faith, and word of knowledge.Over the past ten years, the couple has ministered in over 2000 meetings and conferences throughout the U.S. and 21 other countries – ministering to over 500,000 people. The couple served as directors of the Congress of Intercession in Washington, D.C., during the 9/11 crisis to unify churches and Christians from all fifty states and overseas at special Congresses of Prayer in the D.C. area.Later, as directors of The MetroGroup, Inc., in St. Louis, MO, Steven and Rachel were involved in citywide ministry efforts specifically aimed at identifying and developing new and creative, 21st century expressions of Christ’s love

In January of 2004, Steven and Rachel were asked to do a three-day revival meeting in Southern New Hampshire, which turned into twenty-six weeks of consecutive meetings involving dozens of churches in the area. The meetings allowed the couple to build relationships with more than a hundred pastors in New England and to minister at numerous churches throughout the area. Since that time, the Phillips’ have been ministering at churches throughout New England bringing a message of hope and expectation of an eminent, significant move of God in the Northeast. God has richly blessed their ministry in New England; confirming His word with many healings, miracles, and numerous evidences of changed lives.

In April of 2004, the Phillips’ felt God leading them to base their ministry in New England under the Organic Church Community, Inc. Their commission from God is to equip, encounter, and release (send) an army of empowered Christians throughout the 21^st century culture. Last year the organization launched MAGI – Missito Arts Group Institute – a one-of-a-kind ministry and arts residency school combined with a professional performing arts and ministry touring group. MAGI includes a fully accredited curriculum for high school through college level students who are interested in reaching this generation through unique expressions of the Gospel using visual and performing arts. They are also in the process of launching Missito College in 2009 – a hands-on, “applied ministry” college specializing in equipping laymen and professionals for church planting, personal evangelism, marketplace ministry, prayer centers, and other areas of service within the Body of Christ. The college will be hosted by several churches in various areas throughout the country – beginning in New England. Students will attend one special intensive training weekend per month taught by some of the most sought after teachers in the Body of Christ today. The rest of their studies will include online classes, ministry projects including church planting efforts, overseas ministry/study trips, and weekend ministry events at churches and conferences throughout the United States.

The couple’s passion is to see the body of Christ released to experience and share the empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit in everyday circumstances. They believe and demonstrate that such experiences can be accomplished without employing eccentric, “hyper-spiritual” behavior but instead by believing and living “naturally/supernatural” in daily life, by perceiving the needs of others around us, and by obeying the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit.They are in the process of planting 21st Century NextPhase churches throughout the Northeast and are believing God to provide team members and support to accomplish that vision.  They live in Burlington, VT with their two dogs, Gabbi and Siena.