KEYNOTE AND MUSIC LEADERSHIP
For over 20 years, Steve has enjoyed keynoting, leading music, and preaching for a wide diversity of church retreats and conferences. As his experience below indicates, he's comfortable working with all ages in all settings - children, youth and adults; the weekend youth retreat and the adult church conference.
As a multi-instrumentalist, Steve likes to branch out from the comfort of his beloved acoustic guitar to incorporate piano, upright bass, banjo, ukulele, accordion. In teaching and leading music, Steve strikes a comfortable and consistent balance that encourages participation without becoming "performance." He not only draws from the best of what's typically called "praise music" but has been known to incorporate, on occasion, a Coldplay or Mumford & Sons tune. And you can't go wrong with a heartfelt version of "Come Thou Fount."
Always the team player, Steve loves to collaborate and lead music with other musicians - in particular, The NETTLETONs. His diverse catalog of songs follow a simple mantra: melodies that are singable, theology that is reformed, lyrics that are inclusive, music that brings people together. And no "Jesus-is-my-boyfriend" songs. Steve enjoys writing the theme song for some of the conferences he's had the pleasure of leading music for.
With his keynotes and preaching, Steve strives for Biblically-based and theologically-sound messages from the heart and head that both inform and inspire. He loves using stories from personal experience and the experiences of others, as well as the occasional movie clip, song or cultural image, to drive his point home. Steve's keynotes and preaching are always positive and uplifting, focusing on the love of Jesus for all people and the calling we share as the body of Christ to not just "go to church" but "be the church!"
As a multi-instrumentalist, Steve likes to branch out from the comfort of his beloved acoustic guitar to incorporate piano, upright bass, banjo, ukulele, accordion. In teaching and leading music, Steve strikes a comfortable and consistent balance that encourages participation without becoming "performance." He not only draws from the best of what's typically called "praise music" but has been known to incorporate, on occasion, a Coldplay or Mumford & Sons tune. And you can't go wrong with a heartfelt version of "Come Thou Fount."
Always the team player, Steve loves to collaborate and lead music with other musicians - in particular, The NETTLETONs. His diverse catalog of songs follow a simple mantra: melodies that are singable, theology that is reformed, lyrics that are inclusive, music that brings people together. And no "Jesus-is-my-boyfriend" songs. Steve enjoys writing the theme song for some of the conferences he's had the pleasure of leading music for.
With his keynotes and preaching, Steve strives for Biblically-based and theologically-sound messages from the heart and head that both inform and inspire. He loves using stories from personal experience and the experiences of others, as well as the occasional movie clip, song or cultural image, to drive his point home. Steve's keynotes and preaching are always positive and uplifting, focusing on the love of Jesus for all people and the calling we share as the body of Christ to not just "go to church" but "be the church!"
Contact Steve if you're interested in talking with him about retreat/conference leadership.
AN INCOMPLETE BUT FAIRLY COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF RETREATS AND CONFERENCES
(M = Music, K = Keynote)
(M = Music, K = Keynote)
- Presbyterian Youth Triennium, July 2025 (M)
- Montreat Omega Youth Conferences, July 2024 (M)
- Montreat Alpha Youth Conferences, June 2022 (M)
- Mo Ranch Men's Retreat, May 2022 (K)
- Presbyterian Youth Triennium, July 2019 (M)
- Massanetta Middle School Conference, July 2018 (M)
- Montreat Alpha Youth Conferences, June 2017 (M)
- Montreat Middle School Conference, July 2016 (M)
- Montreat Omega Youth Conferences, July/August 2015 (M)
- Charlotte Presbytery, November 2014 (M)
- Massanetta Middle School Conference, July 2014 (K)
- The Blaze at Montreat, January 2014 (M)
- Carolina Connection, November 2013 (M)
- Montreat Middle School Conference, July 2013 (M)
- NEXT National Conference, March 2013 (M)
- Presbytery of the Peaks Middle School Conference, September 2012 (K)
- NEXT Mid-Atlantic Conference, August 2012 (M)
- Wild Goose Festival East Sacred Space worship, June 2012 (M)
- "Seeking Stars," Montreat Collegiate Conference, January 2012 (M)
- Trinity Presbytery Middle School & High School retreats, 2010-2013 (M & K)
- Massanetta Middle School Conference, June 1999 and 2010 (M)
- Salem Presbytery Middle School & High School retreats (M & K)
- North Alabama Presbytery Middle School Retreat (K)
- Greater Atlanta Presbytery Middle & High School Retreats (K)
- Presbytery of the James Middle & High School Retreats (M & K)
- New Hope Presbytery Middle & High School Retreats (M & K)
- Cherokee Presbytery High School Retreat (K)
