Stephen D. Carpenter – Pastor & Teacher

Born in Colorado, Stephen Carpenter was raised in a pastor’s home and so ministry and the church has always been a part of his life. Graduating from Southern Nazarene University in 1975, he entered full-time ministry as a youth and music pastor in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1984 Stephen became the senior pastor of a church in Issaquah, Washington. He has also pastored churches in Oak Harbor, Washington and Tucson, Arizona.

In May, 1994, Stephen & Deb along with their three sons moved to the South Sound area to begin South Sound Community Church. Beginning with 20 people SSC has now grown to be a church with over 300 attending every weekend.

Stephen and his wife Deb have been married for thirty years. They have three sons: Sean (wife Moira), Joshua (wife Tiffany), and Zachary (wife Laura). They are the proud grandparents of three beautiful granddaughters, Ryann Elizabeth (5), Zoe Isabelle (2) and Aubrey Noel (1).

In his leisure time you will find him reading a good book or watching some sports on television. Stephen is a “sports nut.” He especially enjoys playing golf and is an avid Seattle Mariners, Seahawks and University of Washington Huskies fan.

If asked what his passion might be, he would tell you, “I long to see people come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord, and to see them grow and mature in their walk with Him. In so doing, helping people to realize they can make it in this contemporary world. Everything we do at SSC is directed to that goal. For me there is no higher calling!” You will hear this come through each weekend as his teaching is designed to show people that God has an answer for the issues of today.