THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 4, 1996 TAG: 9601030181
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
SINCE NOVEMBER, Steven F. Siegrist and his family have called Whaleyville home, and members of Great Fork Baptist Church have called him their pastor. Both seem happy with the union.
``The people have reached out to us through gifts, food and love - the kind of true Christian love that's hard to find these days,'' Siegrist said. And youth coordinator Hope Styron said the new pastor is ``bringing a lot of energy to the congregation.''
Great Fork, dating to 1833, is Siegrist's first full-time pastorate. The church, which averages 100 in weekly worship, has a broad ministry including music, mission organizations and a youth program.
While three churches pursued Siegrist for pastoral positions, Siegrist said of Great Fork, ``When I first came to speak, I could see that the people were traditionalists in the best sense of the word - people with a true desire to serve God, love God and learn more about God.''
The pulpit committee was equally impressed with Siegrist and his family: wife Karol; Sabrina, 14; and Benjamin, 11.
Siegrist, who grew up in Michigan and regularly attended a Protestant church, at age 26 discovered a difference between mere church attendance and Christianity.
A neighbor invited his family to his church, said Siegrist, then a young husband and father living in North Carolina. ``When my 3-year-old daughter said, `Why don't we go to church, Daddy?,' I figured we'd might as well.''
And ``That's when God did a miracle,'' Siegrist said. ``The Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin and let me see my need for Christ.'' That was February 1983.
Siegrist quickly rose to leadership in Live Oaks Baptist Church in Selma, N.C., serving as Sunday school teacher, deacon, minister to youth and coordinator of a rest home ministry.
From 1982 until 1988, Siegrist worked professionally as an electrician. Then he worked until 1991 as a painter. As his faith grew, so did his desire to be a pastor.
In 1991, Siegrist was licensed to preach. And for the last five years he has gained experience as an interim and supply pastor. He enrolled in Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., where he continues his studies.
Siegrist describes his style of ministry as old fashioned, gospel preaching and Bible believing. Through expository preaching, he hopes to present God's word in a way that shows the Jesus of today to be the same as the Jesus of the first century. He also aims to communicate a faith that is practical and relevant to today's culture.
``I want to show people the way to Christ and how to experience the joy of the Christian life,'' Siegrist said. ``I want people to know that there's a peace that passes all understanding. So many people today are missing out on that peace.''
A staunch believer in the authenticity of Scripture, Siegrist noted, ``I plan not to compromise God's word but to present it in such a way that it meets the needs of the church.''
Discipleship and leadership training top Siegrist's goals of ministry for the new year. Increasing opportunities and activities for senior citizens will also be emphasized.
Maintaining a spirit of unity among members and reaching the unchurched of the community are also key objectives for '96. MEMO: Great Fork Baptist Church is on Great Fork Road in Whaleyville. For
information, call the Rev. Steven Siegrist at 986-4572.
ILLUSTRATION: Karol and Steven Siegrist have settled in at Great Fork Baptist
Church in Whaleyville.
by CNB