Home Page Sermons How Can I Know Jesus? Email Pastor Steve

Pastor Stephen Muncherian recieved his Master of Divinity (Pastoral Emphasis) in 1986 from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, Portland, Oregon.  He  received his Bachelor of Arts (Biblical Studies) in 1982 from Biola University, La Mirada, California.   He was ordained in 1988 by the Armenian Evangelical Union  of North America (AEUNA).  Since January 2003 he has been the pastor of the Creekside Evangelical Free Church of Merced, California.  From 1994-2002 he was the pastor of the Calvary Armenian Congregational Church in San Francisco.  From 1992-1994 he was the Executive Director  of the AEUNA's Camp AREV, E.J.M. Armenian Evangelical Conference Center, Frazier Park, California.  From 1986-1991 he was the Assistant Pastor at the United Armenian Congregational Church, Hollywood, California.  He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the AEUNA.  He has served as the Chairman of the AEUNA Committee on Human Sexuality and as Chairman of the AEUNA Evangelism and Church Planting Committee.  He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Armenian Missionary Association of America and a past member of the Board of Directors of the Council of Armenian American Organizations of Northern California.  Pastor Steve and his wife Karen have four children.

Conversion and Call
By God's grace I was born into a Christian home with parents who took me to church.  My first experiences at church were from behind the bars of a nursery cradle at Grace Bible Church in Redwood City, California. 

When I was four years old my parents took me to a "Five Day Club" at the home one of the church members.  Through the ministry of this "club" I became impressed with the need to accept Jesus as my Savior.  One night I knelt by my bed and invited Jesus into my heart as my personal Savior. 

During my Junior High and Senior High School years I began to understand that obedience was an expectation of those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior.  It was during these years that I began to give Jesus increasing priority in my life as Lord.  As a sign of my life and growing faith in Jesus I was baptized by immersion at the age of 16. 

During my High School years I began to sense the call of God to full time Christian ministry.  I resisted this call at first, trying to find other careers which I thought would be more interesting and enjoyable.  But, everytime I tried to go in a direction other than full time Christian ministry, the way was blocked, doors closed and I couldn't move forward.  Everytime I moved in a direction towards full time Christian ministry God opened the way for me.  Gradually, I came to the understanding and acceptance of what God wanted me to do.  For me, there would be nothing greater than to spend a lifetime studying God's word, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and serving God according to His will. 

Through the encouragement of some friends God led me to Biola University where I earned my BA. And, with God's guidance I later earned my M. Div. at Western Conservative Baptist Seminary.  Looking back, it is amazing to see how God led me through these years and provided for my needs. 

During my years of formal education and since graduation, I have been privileged to work with several camping ministries and a number of church congregations.  In these opportunities of ministry, God has led me, through the leadership of some dynamic pastors and Christian lay people, through many circumstances, to develop and use the gifts which He has given to me.  I have watched God work through me and sustain me in ways I could never have anticipated.  Somehow, despite myself, God uses me in the capacity of pastor to accomplish His ministry. 

I share all of this with you for two reasons.  First, if you do not know Jesus as your personal Savior, let me encourage you to open your life to Him and accept Him as your Savior.  He loves you so much that He came and died to free you from the guilt and penalty for your sins (John 3:16).  He lives to offer you life which goes beyond anything you can imagine (John 10:10).  By His grace, I live that life and it is incredible.  And, this life goes on for eternity (John 5:24).