Pastor’s Corner: Stephen Hampton
Pastor’s Corner: Stephen Hampton
Cove Church, Chase Campus Pastor
Tell us about yourself:
I was born and raised in Huntsville, AL. I grew up in church, but I began my relationship with Jesus through the ministry of Young Life. I’ve been married to my best friend (Jane) for almost 22 years. We have 3 beautiful teenage daughters (Catherine – 19, Claire – 17 and Ann Lawrence – 14). Thankfully, we do have male pets, an orange tabby cat (Aubie) and a yellow labradoodle (Sam). I am a passionate Auburn football fan, and Jane would tell you that I am very competitive, especially in card games. I love to throw the football or a frisbee with my girls. I also love to play disc golf, hike with Sam and vacation with my family in Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina.
What motivates you to do what you do?
A few years ago, God clearly showed me my calling and life purpose – to fight for the salvation, healing and sanctification of the hearts of men, women and kids through prayer, discipleship and counseling. I spent 18 years on full-time staff with Young Life living out my calling. Almost 4 years ago, God led me to a new role that frees me up to live out my calling and life purpose even more. I came on staff with Cove Church to launch our first satellite campus in the Chase/New Market community. Because I don’t have to preach every Sunday, I’m able to focus on pastoral care, counseling, healing prayer and discipleship. This has been very life-giving and fruitful.
What is God speaking to you right now?
Jesus keeps reminding me that I am a branch who desperately needs the true vine (John 15:1,5). As I depend on Jesus, daily and moment by moment, I radiate Jesus to all that I encounter and Jesus is my life. Jesus also recently reminded me that it is God’s kindness that leads people to repentance (Romans 2:4). How do people experience God’s kindness today? God’s kindness is seen and felt through you and me. As we walk in the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit, our love for others is patient and kind and full of grace and truth.
What does unity in our city look like to you?
As the Area Director of Young Life, I always tried to gather as many area youth pastors together as possible on a weekly basis to pray for each other, for kids and for our city. The kingdom of God is bigger than any one ministry, church or denomination. Jesus’ prayer was that we would be brought to “complete unity” (John 17:23). This unity is only possible if we stay humble and teachable and pray like Jesus taught us to pray – “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
Prayer for our city:
Abba Father, I pray that you will do whatever it takes to get our attention, grab hold of our hearts and draw us to yourself. Bring us to a place of brokenness that leads us to surrender, so that you can have your way in and through us, individually and as a city. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
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