Stephen was born into a family of Dutch Calvinists and grew up in West Michigan. From an early age, he was taught the basics of Christian faith and encouraged to examine and wrestle with his own beliefs. Over the years, the desire to apply faith to real life has remained a guiding principle for him.
Professionally, Stephen practiced medicine as an orthopedic surgeon in the western suburbs of Chicago for 30 years before returning to his West Michigan roots in 2015. He and his family have been part of the All Saints’ community since Easter 2017.
Although Reformed thinking has been an important touchstone in the formation of his faith, Stephen’s ingrafting into the Episcopal Church has helped him focus more fully on the incarnational presence of Christ in the world. For him, All Saints’ Parish has been a meaningful place of personal growth and spiritual formation.