Christian Ministry
Experience
Portfolio
Preaching, Teaching, & Public Speaking
To listen to selected examples of my preaching, teaching, and public speaking, please use the buttons provided below. Should you wish to review additional sermon manuscripts, feel free to contact me to request access to past messages. Simply use my contact me page to get in touch.
Site-Specific Ministry Portfolio Details:
Descriptions of my work and volunteer experiences—marked with an asterisk (*)—can be found in the sections below.
Ministry Experience:
Salem Alliance Church: Salem, OR
Kids Ministry*
Contributed across nursery, 4th–5th grade programming, and special-needs respite nights. Responsibilities focused on nurturing siblings alongside regular attendees, supporting inclusive environments, and assisting with spiritually enriching activities.
Canyonview Camp Jr Counselor*
Assisted in leading small groups under senior counselor supervision and later helped in leading training of new incoming junior counselors, reinforcing leadership and mentorship development within the camp structure.
Youth Ministry*
Served in both middle school and high school youth ministries in multiple capacities, with a focus on discipleship, mentoring, and facilitating spiritual growth among youth participants.
Outreach Ministry Internship
At Broadway Commons Community Center, delivered Bible lessons to children and taught English to adults, fostering relationships and building bridges of trust between the community and the church, to hopefully lead to sharing the gospel.
Connection Ministry Internship
Coordinated weekend volunteers for adult services in our new Welcome center, developed and taught curriculum for the partnership class, and managed the central welcome hub to introduce visitors to the church campus and promote engagement.
Middle School Ministry Internship
Organized a service-oriented trip for students in grades six and seven, led small-group gatherings, delivered sermons, and supported the planning of formative spiritual experiences for middle school students.
Salem Free Clinic Internship
Partnered with a multi-church nonprofit to support weekly spiritual care within the Salem Free Clinic. Engaged in assessing and improving the prayer ministry’s effectiveness alongside healthcare professionals, and begin implementing improvements.
Ministry Experience:
Salem For Refugees: Salem, OR
International Prayer Gathering Internship (12 months)
Played a role on the pastoral leadership team of a multilingual refugee congregation (International Prayer Gather). Employed culturally responsive storytelling techniques for ESL/ELL audiences (both adult and kids/youth) and supported the integration of newcomers into U.S. life from immediate arrival followed by continued aid and support.
Ministry Experience:
Canyonview Camp: Silverton, OR
T.I.M (Teen In Ministry)*
Guided youth through Scripture-based instruction and assisted in structured camp activities across both day and overnight camps, including at horsemanship training Christian camp, emphasizing spiritual and personal development.
Canyonview Camp Counselor
Served as a lead counselor, particularly in the equestrian-focused camp. Responsibilities included leading camp programming under the camp director, mentoring T.I.M. participants and junior counselors, and delivering weekly messages centered on spiritual salvation to camp attendees.
Ministry Experience:
Pathway Church: Redding, CA
Pathway Kids Ministry*
Assisted with seasonal and event-based children’s ministry programming, contributing to early spiritual formation and outreach efforts.
Pathway Junior High Ministry*
Supported junior high programming alongside youth leadership, fostering cross-program collaboration and continuity in youth ministry efforts.
Pathway Senior High Ministry
Held roles from pastoral resident, ministry assistant, and Interim Senior High Pastor. Responsibilities encompassed volunteer oversight, Bible study instruction, preaching (Sunday and midweek gatherings), visual content creation, and leadership of student groups for camps and mission trips.
Marriage & Family Ministry
Provided leadership in volunteer recruitment and coordination, oversight of events and initiatives— including branding and marketing of a new event with over 200 in attendance. Contributed regularly to teaching environments and played a key role in the development and management of the ministry’s dedicated website.
Young Adults Ministry
Provided organizational support and interim leadership during transitions. Led volunteer teams and restructured the ministry’s strategic direction to enhance engagement and effectiveness.
Facilities Department
Ensured smooth operations by maintaining facility cleanliness, supporting event setup, and managing closing procedures to create a welcoming environment for all activities.
Communication and Marketing Department
Contributed to strategic rebranding from “Neighborhood Church of Redding” to “Pathway Church”. Engaged in event planning, graphic design, photography, and marketing communications, including fabrication. Served as Interim Communications & Marketing Director before returning to senior high ministry leadership.
Assistant Pastor of Connection
Directed guest engagement and newcomer assimilation, coordinated venue logistics for weddings and funerals, oversaw pastoral visitation needs, and service Pastor team. Guided and expanded the Guest Ministries team, which was composed of all weekend hospitality teams that exceeded 200 volunteers to ensure a polished and inviting church experience.
Ministry Experience:
International Experience
Mexico, North America*
Participated in short-term mission trips, and then to leading teams (including translation), managed logistics and branding, and provided spiritual guidance within cross-cultural ministry contexts.
Spain, Europe*
Assisted in leading an English camp focused on relational outreach, integrating Bible teachings, worship, and cultural immersion experiences with the support of local hosts international workers. Led high school group within the camp structure.
Burkina Faso & Mali, Africa*
In high school, I was able to be a part of a short term trip to Africa. We were able to visit ministry sights in both Burkina Faso and Mali Africa over about two weeks. We served in various campsites depending on the ministry sight along different international workers within the C&MA and other organizations as well.
Ministry Credentials:
Christian & Missionary Alliance
Licensed Worker with the C&MA
Completed the licensing process through the C&MA in 2017, including theological training and testimonial evaluation by the Licensing, Ordination & Consecration Committee (LOCC).
Ordained Ministry Worker with the C&MA
Ordained in 2019 by the Christian & Missionary Alliance after fulfilling all educational, doctrinal, and ministerial requirements under the oversight the Licensing, Ordination & Consecration Committee (LOCC).
Let’s Get in Touch!
If you’d like to get in touch, I’d be happy to hear from you. I'm available to answer questions about my creative work, ministry experience, or anything else you’ve come across on this site. Clear and respectful communication is important to me, and I do my best to respond in a timely and thoughtful manner. Feel free to use the contact form on this page to reach out — I appreciate you taking the time to visit my site and would love the chance to connect with you.
-Stephen Wanek