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LACEY STEEL Lived Experience
My Approach I care deeply about people and want them to know they have a place where they can be honest, feel heard, and work through what's actually happening in their lives. Empathy and compassion come pretty naturally to me, but I'm also very discerning and strategic. I often find myself listening to someone's story while simultaneously recognizing patterns, making connections, and thinking about what might need attention next. I love Scripture and theology, but I'm very practical about both. If what we believe doesn't make a difference in how we actually live, relate, make decisions, and navigate difficult circumstances, then I think we're missing something. I'm compassionate, but that doesn't mean I'll simply tell you what you want to hear. I believe we can be honest about difficult things while still treating one another with kindness and dignity. My approach tends to combine a listening ear with honest conversation, practical next steps, and — yes — a healthy amount of humor. My own story has included walking alongside Nathan through chronic illness and addiction recovery, navigating difficult seasons in our relationship, parenting children from hard places, and experiencing both the beautiful and painful sides of church and ministry. Those experiences have given me a deep appreciation for how complicated people's stories can be — and how much hope there can still be for what comes next. When I'm Not Doing This... You'll probably find me in the garden tending my roses, drinking coffee, reading or writing Scripture-based curriculum and teachings, spending time with Nathan and our girls, or completely disappearing into a novel for a while. |
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NATHAN STEEL Lived Experience
My Approach I'm usually pretty practical. I love theology and Scripture (probably more than is socially appropriate), but I'm most interested in what they mean for the way we actually live. If something we believe doesn't eventually affect how we think, relate, and live, I want to keep digging. I'm also fairly direct. I don't like wasting someone's time or dancing around something that probably needs to be addressed. I'm discerning and tend to notice patterns and connections, and I'll probably ask questions that help us get underneath what's happening rather than simply focusing on what's happening. That directness can occasionally make me come across as a little dry or unemotional connected — especially when you first meet me. Add in some natural awkwardness, sarcasm, and an unfortunate tendency to turn nearly everything into an analogy, and you have a pretty good idea of what you're getting into. But underneath all of that, I genuinely care about people. I've experienced enough brokenness, disappointment, addiction, pain, and unexpected turns in my own story to know that freedom isn't found by pretending those things aren't there. I want to help people honestly understand what's happening beneath the surface, discover healthier ways forward, and become hopeful about what their future can look like. When I'm Not Doing This... I'm probably drinking coffee while reading something about Scripture or theology, writing curriculum or a teaching, spending time with Lacey or my girls, or coming up with another eschatological argument I am going to debate with my friends. |