TEBA CHURCH AND PASTOR SPOTLIGHT: Steve Bradley at StoneBridge Church
In this month’s Church and Pastor spotlight, we spoke with Pastor Steve Bradley from Stonebridge Church in The Woodlands (formerly Woodlands Parkway Baptist Church), where he has served as Senior Pastor for 33 years. Prior to this role, he served for 13 years on staff at Second Baptist Church in Houston. Steve earned his education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been married for 45 years with two grown children and six grandchildren.
Tell us about your current ministry context.
Steve: We’re on the edge of The Woodlands in Montgomery County between FM 1488 and Research Forest. We purchased our present property with an eye toward giving the church a future through partitioning/selling parts of the property if needed. We have a contemporary feel/vision, reaching out to folks locally who aren’t normally church-goers. I modified a statement that Northpoint Church used years ago: “We will lead people to real, healthy, and growing relationships with Jesus Christ.” Which is a great statement, but honestly, process is how we get things done here. We have large numbers of former members who have been sent out as church planters, missionaries, staff members of other churches, and various ministries. It’s really rewarding.
What is God teaching you in this season?
Steve: That I’m old! Right now, we’re working on what we call The Next 40, raising up the next generation of leaders.
What advice would you offer to other pastors or new church planters?
Steve: I used to be involved with what was once called ‘transitioning a church.’ And to quote former gov. Mike Huckabee, “If you don’t like the sight of your own blood, don’t go into politics.” Same with ministry. There will be some people who will not like what you’re trying to do, and you have to be OK with that. Ed Young, Sr., once told me that I should never be a senior pastor (I didn’t naturally fall into the category of Type A). I remember reading someone who once said, “True leaders are made for wars; otherwise, pastors are managers.” That’s a pretty fair statement.
How can the churches of the TEBA be praying for you?
Steve: Simply that God would continue to use us to reach more future disciples.
