Born and raised in Colorado, Kevin L. Stephens enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1988 upon graduating from high school.  Initially trained as a Field Artilleryman, he held a variety of duties including rifleman, artillery cannoneer, administration, recruiting, and more.  During ten years of service, Kevin was able to attend multiple vocational schools.  In 1991, he served a tour in Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.  Throughout his career in the United States Marine Corps, Kevin received many different awards, citations, ribbons, and medals.

 

Kevin Stephens married April Phillips in July of 1994.  In 1998, he left the military to begin his civilian career.  Since then, he has worked in the mechanical field as a technician, store manager, mill maintenance mechanic, and contract coordinator.

 

In 2002, Kevin and April moved to Vail, Arizona.  They visited Tucson Baptist Church, and April began attending faithfully while Kevin, who was not a Christian at the time, attended occasionally.  As God worked on Kevin’s heart, he became more interested in and faithful at the church.  Between the Holy Spirit’s conviction, encouragement of his wife, and prompting of Pastor James Howard at Tucson Baptist, Kevin finally gave his heart to the Lord in July of 2008.

 

Since his salvation, Brother Stephens has grown in his walk and love for the Lord, and he has enjoyed serving in the ministry.  He has previously worked as the Superintendent/Youth Pastor in children and youth departments, served as a deacon, began a RV park ministry, and traveled on multiple mission trips.  In 2017, he graduated with High Honors and as Salutatorian from Tucson Baptist Bible Institute with a degree in Biblical Studies.   Upon graduating, Kevin was provided the honor to teach at the same Bible Institute during the following school year.

 

In January of 2018, Kevin was ordained to preach by Pastor Brent Armstrong at Tucson Baptist Church, and shortly after he began looking for a church to pastor.  In the spring of the same year, he heard that Pastor Williams at Community Baptist Church of Devine, Texas was retiring and that the church needed a new pastor.  After several phone conversations with Pastor Williams, Kevin, his wife, and teenage daughter decided to travel to the small town and candidate for the position. 

 

The Stephens family and Community Baptist both spent much time in prayer, and Brother Stephens accepted the position of Senior Pastor in May.  He preached his first sermon on July 1 and was officially installed as the new Senior Pastor of Community Baptist Church on August 5, 2018.

 

Kevin and April have three adult children: Richard, Catherine, and Jenna. Richard is married to his wife, Amber. Catherine is married to her husband, Chance.  Jenna is 19.