Traveling in Afghanistan, Steve Steiner of Dalton, Ohio, supported projects to help the Afghan people. (Photo by Al Geiser who died in Afghanistan in July 2012 as he was building and installing generators there.)
An Everence member, Steiner is a former business executive who left corporate life seven years ago to use his entrepreneurial and organizational skills in the work of the church and its organizations. He works locally and internationally on projects that run the gamut from disaster relief and social services to business development
“He has literally organized his career and life around the principle of making sure that he has the time and flexibility to be able to respond to situations which he is called upon,” said Terry Shue, Steiner’s former pastor and current Mennonite Church USA Director of Leadership Development. “The stories which have grown out of these experiences are a testimony to a life lived for Christ and for others."
Steiner will be given the award, a $5,000 donation to a charity of his choice, at a presentation this fall. The donation is given in a blessing cup, symbolizing that Journey Award recipients are like vessels that hold, care, and nurture resources to do God’s work along their faith journey.
The national award program is in its 12th year, and last year Everence also began giving regional Journey Awards of a $500 donation. The regional recipients for 2012 are:
- Jonas and Barb Borntrager, Harrisonburg, Va., have been deeply involved in supporting evangelism and medical mission work locally and abroad.
- Paul and Ruth Buxman, Dinuba, Calif., are fruit growers, leading the organic and local farming movement in California.
- Dr. D. Rohrer and Mabel Eshleman, Lancaster, Pa., spent many years meeting medical needs in Ethiopia and supporting the Christian revival movement there.
- Iglesia Evangelica Nueva Vida, Sarasota, Fla., is a congregation whose members collectively made many financial changes in their personal lives to support the church’s ministry growth.
- John Klumpy, Valparaiso, Ind., is an entrepreneur who has founded and supported shelter and employment ministries to homeless men.
- Abe Landes, Souderton, Pa., is very active in supporting Mennonite Central Committee’s exchange students, local resource center and meat canning operations.
- Jim Perkins, Howard, Kan., has offered strong financial and volunteer support of faith-based educational institutions as well as has been active in a broad array of Quaker ministries.
- Water For Life Haiti, Kalona, Iowa, drills wells, provides education and serves the spiritual needs of people in Haiti