GRACE MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP INC.
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Our Bishop

Bishop Stephanson was born in Baltimore, Maryland on March 2, 1945.  There he attended elementary, secondary, and high school.  After graduating from Baltimore City College, he entered the U.S. Air Force in May 1962.  During his time in service, he served in various capacities at the local churches where he was stationed.  It was also during this period that he received his Bachelor of Ministry degree from Cascades of Glory Bible Institute, M. Div., D. Th. and Ph. D. Th. from Grace Valley Theological Seminary, Burlington, N.C.  While stationed in Okinawa, Japan, he was called to pastor at the UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH in 1977.  He served in that capacity until being transferred to Merced, Ca in 1981.  While in Okinawa, many souls were added to the church, and many received the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  Bishop Stephanson received his early training in the ministry under the leadership of the late Bishop W. A. Showell pastor of "THE FIRST APOSTOLIC FAITH CHURCH" of Baltimore, Md.  "Bishop Showell was my Spiritual Father,mentor, and a source of great inspiration, and served as a role model in my early development".  One of my greatest joys was to be honored by being asked to preach for the Morning Worship Service and the Radio Broadcast while visiting my home church.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1982, he relocated to San Diego, Ca where he served as Assistant Pastor of the  UNITED LIGHTHOUSE TABERNACLE under Pastor P.V. Adkins.   In 1992, he became a member of the ABUNDANT LIFE FELLOWSHIP under Elder H. Braziel & Evangelist Louise Braziel.  Later the church relocated to Spring Valley, Ca and was renamed NEW GENESIS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP under the pastorship of Pastor Louise Braziel.  There he served as organist, and chairman of the Board of Elders.  In March 1995, he was called to Pastor the BELIEVER'S HAVEN CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP the Headquarters Church of GOD'S PEOPLE IN ACTION MINISTRIES INC. founded by the CHIEF APOSTLE & PRESIDING BISHOP Edwin C. Peete.  Under Apostle Peete, he also served as National Coordinator of GOD'S PEOPLE IN ACTION MINISTRIES and as Assistant to the Bishop.   In 1998, he was consecrated to the office of Overseer and Bishop for CA, Eutaw, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.  In 2001 God led Bishop Stephanson to co-found Grace Ministries International Fellowship with Bishop Robert L. McKenzie.  Under his leadership, the foundation was laid and he served as Vice Presiding Bishop until being elevated to the position of Presiding Bishop in October, 2006.  God has given him a vision for this ministry, and we are in the midst of expanding as God directs us..  Also, we will be reaching out to the many HALF-WAY houses in the communities and seeking to help those who are in need.

 Bishop Stephanson is married to Dr. Tanya R. Stephanson who has received her Ph. D. in Psychology and is currently working for the Texas Youth Commission as a Psychologist.  She has been a blessing and great help in this ministry.  Bishop Stephanson stated, "I thank God for her and the daily support she gives me as we continue to nurture this labor of Love that God has bestowed upon me".  He is also the father of 6 children, 2 stepdaughters, and 12 grandchildren and relishes the time spent with them and family.