Stories of Faith

Steve King’s story is one marked by God’s faithfulness across every season of life. From a childhood shaped by prayer and Scripture, to years of drifting away from the faith, to a life restored and redirected by God’s grace, Steve can look back and see the Lord’s hand at work every step of the way.

Growing up, faith was woven into the rhythm of everyday life. After the death of his biological father when Steve was just eighteen months old, his mother eventually remarried, and together they built a Christ-centered home in Illinois. Church attendance was a priority, family devotionals were a regular practice, and every evening Steve heard his parents praying for him and his sister.

“I remember Mom and Dad both praying for our salvation,” Steve said. “Faith was just part of our home.”

At around eight years old, Steve trusted Christ during a children’s church service. Years of Bible teaching and gospel conversations became personal as he realized his need for a Savior and placed his faith in Jesus. He was baptized soon after and remained active in church throughout his teenage years.

But after high school, life took him in a different direction. Four months after graduation, Steve enlisted in the United States Navy. Leaving behind the Christian environment he had always known, he found himself surrounded by influences that slowly pulled him away from the faith.

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“When I left for the service, I got introduced to things I had never seen or heard of before,” Steve said. “I fell by the wayside. I don’t think anyone would have looked at me and said, ‘He’s a Christian.’”

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The drifting didn’t stop when his military service ended. Steve met his future wife, Patty, and the two married just six months later. They quickly started a family and worked hard to make ends meet. Long hours, financial struggles, and the demands of everyday life left little room for church. Patty had not grown up in a Christian home, and faith was largely absent from their young family.

Still, God had not forgotten them. During a visit to his parents in rural Illinois, Steve’s mother once again encouraged the couple to attend a revival service at her small country church. Reluctantly, they agreed.

“Mom knew I had strayed away, and Patty wasn’t a Christian,” Steve said. “She kept pushing us to come.”

That night changed everything. As the gospel was shared, Patty responded to Christ and placed her faith in Him. At the same service, Steve felt the Lord drawing him back and publicly recommitted his life to Christ.

“Patty was saved that night,” Steve said. “When that occurred, I was led to rededicate my life to Christ.”

What began as a simple invitation became a turning point for their whole family. In the years that followed, Steve and Patty became deeply involved in their local church. They grew spiritually, built strong relationships with other believers, and found joy in serving. Steve joined the choir and became part of a men’s gospel quartet, while both he and Patty continued growing in their walk with Christ.

“Patty was growing as a Christian, I was regrowing as a Christian, and life was pretty good,” Steve said.

As their faith grew, God’s provision became increasingly evident. Work opportunities were difficult to find during an economic downturn in the construction industry. Steve often spent weeks traveling for short-term jobs followed by months without steady work. The uncertainty placed significant pressure on their family.

Then an unexpected conversation with a cousin led Steve to consider moving to Oklahoma. After arriving in the Tulsa area to explore job prospects, Steve walked into a machine shop despite having no experience in the field. Before he could even finish filling out an application, he was interviewed and hired on the spot.

Not long after moving his family to Oklahoma, another unexpected opportunity appeared. While attending church in Sapulpa, a man struck up a conversation with Steve after a service. After learning about Steve’s interests and work background, he encouraged him to apply for an opening with OG&E. That conversation eventually led to a long career as an electric lineman.

“That was out of the blue,” Steve said. “In a church, and the guy’s standing there and doesn’t even know you. Tell me that’s not a God thing.”

Looking back, Steve sees more than a series of fortunate circumstances. He sees a God who faithfully pursued him, provided for him, and guided him even when he could not see the path ahead.

Through seasons of loss, years of wandering, moments of restoration, and decades of God’s provision, Steve’s story serves as a reminder that God never stops pursuing His people. Even when Steve walked away, God remained faithful. And today, that faithfulness is still the thread that ties his entire story together.