Stephen Bauer

Operations & Administration Division Coordinator

Hi, I'm Steve Bauer. I'm glad you're here at my personal page. I'd like to share a short version of my life in God's church and here at Xenos . . .

I came to work at this uniquely God-led organization in May of 1995. I worked in the corporate world for the previous 12 years -- 9 years with Big-6 or -5 (it was Big 8 when I started) firm Arthur Andersen, S.C., Andersen Consulting, and then 3 years with Nationwide Insurance as Systems and Programming Director. When I began work for Xenos, a church where I met Christ in 1988, I didn't fully understand the breadth of career change I would experience. What a rewarding challenge, to be able to match a career with ministry to the church and spiritual goals.

My position as Operations Coordinator keeps me busy with overseeing the many administrative aspects of church. I oversee facility development (including construction projects) and maintenance, information systems, accounting, office management, human resources, and light & sound systems for our meetings, events and seminars. When I explain this role to friends and family who haven't had contact with such a job, I usually explain that I oversee, "the indirectly spiritual areas that support and effect the work in our directly spiritual activities". As treasurer of our corporation and secretary / treasurer of our inner-city ministry, Urban Concern, I've been able to complete my view, first-hand, of the inner operations of our organization. I also serve as corporate Treasurer for Xenos and Secretary to the Management Team.

As part of my initial work for the church, I was responsible for oversight of the construction of a new campus on the 60-acre site Xenos bought in 1991. After spending a large part of my time in 1995 through 1997 with bankers, lawyers, construction managers and related professionals, things progressed to a point where our two main facilities were completed. More productive offices, our extensive library and enhanced youth facilities are really paying off in God's work. We moved into our meeting facility and classroom space in August, 1997 and have experienced more of God's blessing through these enhanced facilities than we imagined. In 1999, we added another facility to our campus - a 12,000 sq. ft. building oriented toward the needs of our youth. Our last major addition was completed in 2001 - a 6,000 sq. ft. addition to our Main Campus. This project should extend the usefulness of current facilities for several years, so we do not have to build a larger facility until after 2006. I also oversee the facilities and systems at our inner city ministry, Urban Concern.

I worked in the Junior High ministry for 12 years. I still love that age of youth and intend to return to it as my own children age. I am part of a dynamic and diverse home group here at Xenos. I am one of the older members, chronologically but also as a maturing (though far from mature) Christian. I believe as we grow more in Christ we learn more how far from His character we truly are. It has been a true joy to help younger Christians discern God's word and make tough life decisions within a biblical world view.

Sadly, I became a widower in January 2003, losing my partner, friend and co-worker for Christ. I was blessed to have Marilyn in my life for almost 23 years, with over 18 as my spouse. She was absolutely sure of her eternal destiny in God's hands, and felt she was leaving the world a legacy of 2 amazing children.

I have had an amazing journey in growing a wonderfully unique family. In September 1998, we traveled to Hainan , China to adopt our beautiful, energetic and loving 10 month old daughter, Andrea Li. After having this captivating child home for a year, we felt the need to give her a sibling to teach and learn from. We traveled to Cambodia in March 2000 to receive our son, Evan. Our experience with him was (and remains) so different from Andrea. I will never again listen to those who say that gender is learned through environment over physiology - boys are a world of difference from the fairer sex from day one. Evan's a great gift to me from God, and Andrea is the shining apple of my eye. I only wish they wouldn't grow up so quickly.

Turning to more great joy, God blessed me in the fall of 2003 with a new partner for life, Malia. I feel like Job at the end of his travails with God - in Job 42:12 the Bible relates that God blessed Job “in the second half of his life” (NLT) greater than in the first. I am a living testament to that kind of incredible grace and gift. In choosing me as Malia's husband, God has proven His goodness and lovingkindness to me in ways I can never fully explain. His plan for me has been a great one

The Lord has made my life here more than complete and fulfilling and I am grateful to our church, Xenos, for bringing me closer to him. I'm always happy to have Columbus the place I return to when I travel, since Malia and I are blessed to have extended family here and are part of such a unique and wonderful church.

I would be very happy to discuss any aspect of practical church organization and management, youth ministry, finance (even personal finance, as I am a ChFC and CLU (Chartered Financial Consultant, Certified Life Underwriter)) or anything else you like.

Send Steve a comment or question

Return to Operations page

Return to Xenos home page