Meet Steve Lawes

Church Encourager

Someone asked me recently to try and write down some of the things that I have done in ministry over the last thirty years. I kind of surprised myself when I looked back to see all of the different directions God has steered me in ministry. This wide range of experiences is useful in helping me to coach you in figuring out where and how God might be leading you.

1990 – Began youth ministry

1990 – Began Community Sports Leagues for children and adults (Basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer)

1991 – Youth Group grows from 1 to 30, Mission Trip to Costa Rica

1991 – Planted Church in Marathon, FL which grew to 40 people within 6 months

1991 – Became Chaplain in County Jail system

1992 – Became Chaplain in State Jail System

1993 – Became Lead Pastor at Big Pine Key Vineyard, had to close Marathon church plant, most of the people came to Big Pine church

1993 – Became principal of Vineyard Christian School

1995 – Became Cuba Team Leader for Vineyard Missions, traveled into Cuba 2-3 times per year for 10 years. Trained leaders and helped plant 20 churches in Cuba.

2002 – Added second service at Big Pine Key Vineyard Church

2002-2005 Church grew from 150 to 300

2003 – Sent a team and planted a church in Key Largo, Fl

2004 – Started a Video Venue in Key West, FL (shut down in 2008 when economy went bust – most people came up to Big Pine Key)

2005 – 2007 Church grew from 300 – 500 (added a Saturday Night Service)

2006 – Started a Video Venue in Williston Florida, transitioned that to another pastor in 2010

2008 – 2010 Church grew from 500 – 750 (added a third Sunday morning Service)

2010 – 2014 Church grew from 750 – 1000

2012 – Became Area Leader for Vineyard overseeing 10 churches in South Florida

2014 – Started Jesus Moment Bible Institute and Seminary which has grown to over 1650 students around the world https://onlinebibleinstitute.org

2014 – 2020 Church averaged 1200 plus on the weekends. Consistently baptized 100+ per year. 200 + salvation responses per year.

2017 – Hurricane Irma direct hit – Church building damaged slightly, quickly repaired and began full scale recovery effort to community. Over 3000 volunteers came through us in a ten-week period. Church was a distribution facility for food and materials.

2020 – When Covid first hit, we were closed for six weeks but we did big drive thru giveaways twice a week for four months providing the community with meals and paper goods.

2021 – With are now running all 4 services but we are down to 600 – 800 people.

2022 – Attendance is slowly increasing toward pre-Covid levels as we focus on outreach events to reach the many new people who recently moved into our area.

My Qualifications and Certifications