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An Interview with Nancy Stevens

In Sickness and in Health: A Ministry Marriage

Nancy Stevens lives in Springfield, Missouri, with her husband, Howard.They have been married almost 33 years. During their marriage, they have been involved in the military chaplaincy, as well as a writing career for them both, a publishing position for Nancy, and various pastoral positions for Howard. Though they have had separate ministries, there is a great bond and support for each other. Howard has exhibited great devotion and service to Nancy throughout her illness. He has felt the pastoral counseling he provided by phone for a number of years ha been his ministry during the years of Nancy’s disability.Here is Nancy’s reflection on their ministries and Howard’s support for her writing ministry.

WIM: Describe your ministry and your husband’s ministry background.

Nancy: Howard and I worked together as a chaplain and chaplain assistant team in the U. S. Army Reserve from 1976 to 1980.

For 22 years, I worked at the Assemblies of God headquarters in book publishing. I began as an editorial assistant and eventually became a book editor. Occasionally, I wrote devotionals for God’s Word for Today.

One summer, when I was serving as Sunday School superintendent, and Howard was serving as Christian education and associate pastor, I wrote the curriculum for our Vacation Bible School.

WIM: How did your ministry change when your health declined?

Nancy: When my health declined in 1997, I began writing monthly letters of encouragement to people who were facing challenges, such as shut-ins, those in prison, the bereaved, and the elderly. I wrote stories, drew artwork for them, and printed them in booklet form. This was the beginning of our Bookends ministry. Howard provided pastoral counseling by phone to many people in crisis, particularly those who had recently lost spouses.

For the past year, I’ve been writing and editing part time for network211, a ministry that provides resources to leaders. Howard also writes articles monthly, and has had several lengthy theological research articles published on the Internet. We often contribute to each other’s articles.

WIM: How do you see your husband supporting you in your ministry?

Nancy: Howard firmly believes that his role is to support me and encourage me to do and be all that God has planned for me. He takes joy and a healthy pride in everything I do. Seeing God work in and through my life uplifts him.

He’s my sounding board and encourager. I know I can always count on him to tell me the truth in a loving and kind way. His feedback is invaluable to me. If he tells me, “You’re taking on too much,” I know that his advice comes from a loving heart with no ulterior motive.

Recently, he was telling me something he had shared with someone to encourage the person. As soon as I heard it, I said, “That would be a great title for an article!” I sat down at my computer and started writing, and when I finished the article and read it to him, he was thrilled that he had been able to inspire me with something the Lord had given him.

When I wrote for our Bookends ministry, he also helped me in so many practical ways, including collating, folding, trimming pages, stapling the booklets, and mailing them.

WIM: How has Howard responded to the times you were busier or being sought out the most?

Nancy: In addition to writing articles for network211, I also write stories for children, teens, and families. When Howard comes home in the evening after a very tiring day, he looks forward to hearing what the Lord has inspired me to write. After we have shared the day’s events and he has had some time to relax, I read my latest article or story to him. Sometimes we even collaborate on stories.

When I’m busier than he is, he tries to do whatever he can to ease the burden on me. He also does housework, or as he calls it, “house joys,” because it’s a joy to have the health and strength to do the chores.

We’re both very grateful for everything God has done in and through our lives, individually and together.

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