If you’ve been to Lakes Church, you may know Steve Antley. He’s been at the church since 1996 and has been on staff for the past eleven years. Steve has the most amazing servant’s heart and has jumped into several ministries over the years. From being a children’s pastor to serving on the worship team, and now working in communications, Steve is a jack of all trades. If you know Steve, you also know he’s always willing to pitch in and help, always has an encouraging word, and is always pointing people to Christ.
One of the things Steve is most proud of is being a dad. He lights up when talking about his family. He’s been married to his wife, Chris, for 34 years and has three children: Taryn, Tori, and Jarrett.
“My dad is the single best human representation of Jesus and His love that I have ever encountered,” shared Steve’s eldest daughter Taryn. “He loves with all that he is, he goes out of his way to serve those around him (whether he really knows them or not) and NEVER complains, and always points us back to Christ. Watching my dad grow in his faith over the years, seeing him fully lean on the Lord in times of desperation, and know that God will take care of everything taught me more than I could ever articulate.”
(Steve and his eldest daughter Taryn)
Steve vividly remembers when Taryn was born. He choked up talking about it. “I remember the first time I saw Taryn (taking a deep breath and tearing up)…and she drew her first breath…to be there in that moment. From that day on, our lives were changed forever.”
In fact, Steve and his wife Chris began praying for their children and their future spouses. Steve shared having children helped to strengthen his faith and helped him to lean more on God. The Bible verse he constantly leaned on was, 1 Peter 4:8, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
While his children are now all grown, he hopes he’s instilled in them a passion to follow Jesus. “My hope and my prayer – that they always pursue God in their daily lives.”
Occasionally, you might even see Taryn and her dad on the worship team together – something that’s incredibly special for them both. “Some of my favorite memories include getting to share the stage and worship together,” said Taryn. “He’s the best grandad and dad a girl could ever hope for!”
(Steve and his granddaughter Stella)
And, for those who may be struggling on this holiday – either loss of a father, strained relationship, or a number of other reasons – Steve wants to share this encouragement, “It’s important to pray, pray, PRAY. Seek the Lord and be purposeful in your relationships with your children. Be deliberate. Love always. God is a good father, and He loves you.”
(Steve and his wife Chris and their two grandchildren Stella and Liam)
