Background
I grew up in Indiana and Michigan and attended Warsaw High School.  After high school I attended Cedarville College (now Cedarville University) in Cedarville, Ohio.  My major was Bible with an emphasis in youth ministry.  I had a great college experience getting ready for future ministry and meeting a beautiful young woman, Susan Miller, who would later become Susan Gerber.  Once married, Susy and I moved to Flushing, Michigan, to work at Mayfair Bible Church.  We spent 3½ years there working with the youth group in the youth pastor role.  It was a growing, stretching time for us.  During that time we learned the power of intentional leadership development.  After leaving our church we started looking for an opportunity to be involved in leading missions and wilderness trips for students.  When we found LeaderTreks we were astounded to learn that this ministry uses trips, training events, and curriculum resources to develop students.  We love working at LeaderTreks because of the long term leadership impact we know this ministry is having.

How did you become a Christian?
I became a Christian very young through the guidance of my mother. Having grown up in a Christian home I knew the importance of being right with God.  I remember feeling convicted one night and asking my mom how to accept Jesus into my heart.  She led me in a prayer that set the course of the rest of my life and my eternity. While I trusted Christ at age 4, it was during my formative teenage years that God directed the course of my life into fulltime ministry for Him. Mainly through serving at summer camps, I felt God’s call into ministry.

What is a leadership lesson you have learned while serving at LeaderTreks?
I have learned the power of challenge by working at LeaderTreks.  Friction in our lives leads to growth.  Leaders are people who can help create and use friction to grow the people around them.  Though we often would prefer to avoid challenging situations, it is those situations that will grow us the most.

What is one of your gifts and how do you use it?
My Leadership Type is Doer. I am a big list keeper and have a need to accomplish a lot in my day. I am able to use my giftedness in overseeing our operations, staff development, and curriculum development.

Who is one student that you have seen grow as a leader?
I was on two trips with Forrest.  Once he was the work project leader and the next year he was a student leader.  Forrest had a lot of potential as a leader.  His personality really engaged the people around him.  During the course of the two trips I was able to challenge Forrest to really step up in his leadership role.  He rose to the challenge and continues to be a leader in his environment everyday.

Family
Susan and I have been married since 1998.  We don’t have any children yet but we do have one dog who thinks he is our child.  We have enjoyed working with many groups on many trips over the years.  Susy now has her own life coaching practice.  God is using her to reach out to women in our area who need help overcoming obstacles in their lives.

Blog
http://steve.leadertreks.com