ssmith1117 Profile

Steve is a friend to many. Pastor to some. Father to three. Husband to one.

Steve is a church planter. He and his wife, Lorrie started Westchester Church (www.westchesterchurch.com), Tarrytown, NY in 2003. He currently serves as the Home Missions Director of the New York Metro District of the United Pentecostal Church, International.

Role at Westchester Church: Lead Pastor

Family: Wife Lorrie, sons Landry, age 8, Clancy, age 3, and Colyer, born March 2009.

Favorite book of the Bible: Acts, I love the drama. I’m also fond of Judges and James. I like Judges because of the drama and James because of its profound practicality.

Favorite Bible verse: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) Followed closely by, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18) and “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) Overall, my favorite chapter in the Bible is Romans 8.

Favorite Bible character (other than Jesus): Probably Joseph, but I’m also drawn to Daniel and Paul.

What I like best about Westchester Church: I would have to say the open and accepting sense of community.

For fun I enjoy: reading, playing with my boys, and cheering for the Yankees

Favorite vacation destination: Jackson Hole, WY

Favorite restaurant in the NYC metro: Pellegrino’s in Little Italy

Favorite meal: My favorite meal would be Cheesecake Factory’s Bang Bang Chicken and Shrimp followed by cheesecake, of course.

Favorite type of food: Definitely, Memphis style bar-b-q. No imitations please. By the way, my favorite bar-b-q restaurant in Westchester is Q in Port Chester. My favorite bar-b-q restaurant in the NYC metro is Famous Dave’s in Westbury, NY.

Favorite Starbucks drink: Caramel Macchiato

Favorite drink: Diet Coke with Lime

Favorite dessert: Cheesecake Factory’s Key Lime Cheesecake

Favorite snack: I have a hard time resisting Oreos, peanut M & Ms, & Ferrero Rochers.

Favorite book: Currently my favorite book is Top 10 Qualities of a Great Leader by Phil Pringle.

Favorite authors: If I’m forced to select only one, I would say John Maxwell.

Favorite quote: “To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man” by William Shakespeare. I’m also fond of “Whether matter big or small, do it right or not at all.” and “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until the good becomes better and better becomes best.”

Favorite subject to read about: leadership

Favorite books: In no particular order, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day – Mark Batterson, The Bait of Satan – John Bevere, Breaking Intimidation – John Bevere, The Fear of the Lord: Discover the Keys to Intimately Knowing God – John Bevere, A Heart Ablaze: Igniting A Passion for God – John Bevere, How To Respond When You Feel Mistreated – John Bevere, Undercover – John Bevere, 9 Things You Simply Must Do – Henry Cloud, Built to Last – Jim Collins, Good to Great – Jim Collins, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey, I Dare You! – William H. Danforth, The Precious Present – Spencer Johnson, Life Is Tremendous – Charles E. Jones, Being Holy, Being Human – Jay Kesler, It Take so Little to Be Above Average – Florence Littauer , The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership – John C. Maxwell, The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader – John C. Maxwell, Developing the Leader within You – John C. Maxwell, Lead to Succeed – Rick Pitino, Success Is a Choice – Rick Pitino, Top 10 Qualities of a Great Leader – Phil Pringle, Simple Steps to Impossible Dreams – Steven K. Scott, The Eleventh Commandment – Andy Smith, Choosing to Cheat – Andy Stanley, The Best Question Ever – Andy Stanley, Hope Is Not a Method – Gordon R. Sullivan & Michael V. Harper

Authors who have most shaped my thinking most: Mark Batterson (In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day), John Bevere (Breaking Intimidation), Henry R. Blackaby (Experiencing God), Ken Davis (How to Speak to Youth … and keep them AWAKE at the same time), Richard Foster (Celebration of Discipline), Florence Littauer (It Take so Little to Be Above Average & Talking so People Will Listen), John Maxwell (Developing the Leader within You), Andy Stanley (The Best Question Ever & Choosing to Cheat), Charles R. Swindoll (Improving Your Serve), & Zig Ziglar (Over The Top)

Favorite magazine: Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, & The Week.

Favorite sports teams: New York Yankees (AL), St. Louis Cardinals (NL), Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Arkansas Razorbacks (NCAA)

Favorite color: blue, followed closely by red

Favorite song: My favorite songs are Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus and What A Wonderful World (My favorite rendition is the Louis Armstrong/Kenny G version). I also like Josh Groban’s Thankful.

Favorite musical artists: My overall favorites are Casting Crowns, FFH, and Mercy Me. I’m also very fond of Tony Bennett and The Rippingtons.

Favorite movie: It’s A Wonderful Life

Favorite musical: I would have to say Les Misérables followed closely by Fiddler On The Roof.