Stephanie Staires

Interview by Diana Gipson

Here's an opportunity to get to know Stephanie Staires, the wife of our new Worship Arts Pastor, a little bit better.  Tony and Stephanie are new to Indiana as well as to SGC.  I had the privilege of interviewing Stephanie recently, and here's what she had to say!

Diana Gipson:  Where did you and Tony just move from?  How is Indiana treating you so far?  What were you doing before the move?

Stephanie Staires:   We just moved from Biloxi, Mississippi. So far we are both enjoying Indiana. It has definitely been a good move. Before we moved I was working for an OB/GYN as office staff. I loved my job and the ladies that I worked with. I will look for a job similar to what I was doing in the medical office.

DG:   Where were you born?  Tell me a little about your families.

SS:  Tony and I were both born in Jackson, Mississippi.  My mother and father are still living and both live in Mississippi. My sister, Amy, also lives in Mississippi with our favorite niece, Kamryn. My brother, Austin lives in  Seattle, Washington (due to the Army),with our favorite nephew Caleb. 

Tony's father and mother are still living as well. His father lives in Mississippi, while his mother lives in Phoenix, Arizona. He also has a brother in Phoenix that has 3 beautiful children. 

DG:  Where did you and Tony meet?  How long have you been married? 

SS:  We first met the night I graduated high school, May 30, 2000. We lived across the street from each other. We both happened to be outside on our balconies at the same time and just started talking. After sitting outside talking for a while, it turns out that we grew up around each other our entire life and never knew each other. We lived in the same neighborhoods, went to the same schools, rode the same bus, had some of the same friends but never met until after high school. We dated for 5 years before we got married. This June we will be married for 7 years.

DG:   Can you share a brief testimony?  How has Christ changed your life?

SS:  I don't have a long drawn out story. Growing up we did not attend church on a regular basis.  We were CEO (Christmas and Easter Only) attenders. I remember the summer before my senior year in high school (May 1999), my mother decided to start going to church on a weekly basis. We started attending Crossgates Baptist Church. After just a few weeks of attending church I became a Christ follower and was baptized June1999. 

Jesus has definitely allowed me to make better life choices than my parents did. He has taught me to trust and rely on Him even though sometimes we tend to forget that and have to be reminded. One way he has taught me this was with our move to Indiana.  We knew that moving to Indiana was definitely where God wants us. Everything seemed to just fall into place at just the right times. I remember telling my Mom that I knew it was the right move because I felt so at peace with all the details, and I've never seen anything fall in to place so perfectly.

DG:  This month's WoW Connect! topic is Freedom. How do you feel Christ has liberated you? 

SS:  I have always been a very shy, introverted person. It's hard for me to meet new people or just talk to new people. When we started the interview process for Sugar Grove I began praying that God would help me through my shyness. I wanted to be able to step outside of my box and meet new people and get involved in some things that SGC has to offer. I wanted to enjoy our move to Indiana! God has definitely helped me and continues to help me work through this issue. I have met so many great people, made some awesome friends, and even though its only been a short time, I have enjoyed being involved in such an awesome church and church family. Tony and I are very excited to be a part of SGC!

DG:  Have you been able to get involved with any activities at  SGC yet? 

SS:  So far I have enjoyed going to the Friday morning women's Bible study, I have started to serve in the cafe, and I absolutely LOVE going to Zumba class on Tuesday nights.  

DG:   What are a few of your favorite things to do?

SS: I love to shop, as do most women. I love food...Tony and I both enjoy cooking, and traveling. We don't spend much time traveling but when we do we definitely make the best of it. 

DG:   Do you have a musical side or is that left to Tony?

SS:  I wish! I have no musical talent whatsoever. In the words of Tony "the only thing I can play is the radio." 

Welcome to SGC, Stephanie!  You are a delightful lady! :)