Calvary Baptist Church Bucyrus, Ohio

Youth Pastor

Stephen Lance

Hello and welcome to our church website. I am privileged to be our church’s youth pastor and serve in many capacities here at Calvary.

I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1985. Both of my parents came to know Christ as Saviour before they got married, and I praise the Lord that I was born and raised in a Christian home. I was in church every Lord’s day and Wednesday, even before I was born!

Sunday school is a wonderful teaching tool in any church. Through this ministry, I came to know the truths of God’s salvation at an early age. I knew I was a sinner destined for hell, but also that Jesus died on the cross to save me from the penalty of my sin. I prayed and asked the Lord to save me and to take me to heaven on February 7, 1989, as we sat at the breakfast table. From that day, there was a newfound change that the Lord wrought in my heart. I became excited to tell others about what Christ did for me.

A few years later, the truths of baptism sunk in and I was baptized on December 8, 1991, at Second Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, now Gospel Light Baptist. Our family went through a few moves because my dad’s job changed location. But in each church, I saw my parent’s willingness and eagerness to serve the Lord. That has left an indelible impression in my mind concerning the real meaning of life. It’s not about money, prestige, or worldly goods, but about serving God.

My dad accepted his first pastorate in Clawson, Michigan, when I was 10 years old. He had a desire to see all of his children serving the Lord in some manner. A few years later, he asked me to lead singing at our church, which I was glad to do. Well, at least until they realized I needed voice lessons! But knowing absolutely nothing about music, I was told I also needed piano lessons, something for which I was doubly unhappy. But that proved to be one of the best moments of my saved life. Jumping in with both feet, I found out I really enjoyed playing the piano and singing. I continued to lead the singing on Sunday evenings.

When I was 12 years old at Camp CoBeAc, I surrendered my life to the Lord for the very first time. What a wonderful change that occurred! When God had my heart, He starting directing my life, as Proverbs 3:6 promises He will do. God placed the desire in my heart to become a pastor.

We came here to Calvary Baptist in the spring of 2000. My two brothers, two sisters and I weren’t very happy to be moving to Ohio. No matter the length of time we’re in Ohio, we’ll always root for our Michigan Wolverines football team! But in the past nine years, we have really fallen in love with our church family here. In 2003, after graduating from Wynford High School, I went off to Massillon Baptist College to prepare myself for future ministry. Being much more involved in our church, I was able to be in our church every Sunday and work with the teenagers. I received my Bachelor of Sacred Music degree from Massillon in 2006 and officially became youth pastor thereafter. I was ordained on April 20, 2008. I am excited to see what doors of opportunity will swing open as God leads in my life!

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Pastor Stephen preaching