Page 5 - August 2026 - Truth & Tidings

sembly in Clyde experienced a revival as trailer north. He often took younger men
a result. along and, at the age of 82, was still hoping
January 1997 arrived and with it the to go one more time.
start of 30 years in the west. Steve and Steve loved people and people knew it.
Merle moved to Lethbridge, Alberta. He Although he did much preaching, he pre-
set up a booth in the mall, and through this ferred personal evangelism; the stories are
effort Hutterites were contacted. Over the endless of those touched by his genuine
next six years countless were saved. Many care. His passion for seeing people saved
came off the colonies, and two assemblies and gathered to the Lord’s name was
are now in the area as a result. unrelenting, and his encouragement has
Meanwhile, much gospel interest was spurred countless others to share Christ.
being seen in Steinbach, Manitoba, and At least six men who first worked with
Steve was asked to follow up the work Steve have gone into full-time gospel
begun there. So, in 2003 he and Merle work. He was a forward thinker, a gospel
moved again and were instrumental in pioneer. His ideas were often unconven-
the planting of an assembly there. tional and not always welcomed, but he
Their move to LaCrete, Alberta, in 2006 and Merle continued serving the Lord,
began Steve’s interest in the far north. and many of the ideas Steve initiated are
Some were saved and, as a result, an commonly used among us in gospel out-
assembly gathered for a few years until reach today. He took a lot of criticism and
most moved south. During this time, he never seemed to get bitter. He was quick to
purchased a four-season, 30-foot trailer apologize, almost to a fault, quick to lend a
which he pulled even farther north over hand and give financially to those in need.
ice roads, often in minus 50°C weather, to Steve was right in the middle of more
reach isolated communities – some north plans and ideas, but the Lord decided his
of the Arctic Circle! work on earth was done and took him
This interest in these First Nations home on April 25, 2026. He died knowing
people eventually moved him to Prince the peace of God and sharing the reason
Albert, Saskatchewan, in 2011. He had of that peace with others, even while in
another trailer designed specifically for hospice. Two funerals were held; over
mobile street work and was weekly on 300 attended in Prince Albert and 400 in
the street, handing out coffee while shar- Sarnia. His live-streamed funeral services
ing Christ. This work is still ongoing and have been viewed over 3,000 times.
often over 150 people come by each week. I don’t believe his impact on the lives
In the meantime, Steve’s long-time vision of others will ever be known this side of
of a Christian café was realized when he eternity. Many, of which there is no space
purchased a building downtown. Elim to list, were involved and helped in the
Café still operates today, with literature 50 years of his gospel efforts. He will be
available and Bible verses on the walls greatly missed. He was a tremendous in-
and on coffee cups. An assembly was also fluence in my life and for this I am forever
started in 2023 which continues to meet grateful.
upstairs above the café. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of
During his 15 years in Prince Albert, life; and he that winneth souls is wise”
Steve continued to take his winterized (Pro 11:30 KJV).

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