Missions Highlight: Steph Couch (Auckland, New Zealand)

In sports, we often hear stories about players who grew up in a local community and went on to become professional athletes playing in one of the major sports like hockey, football, basketball, or baseball. Buffalo has had their share of these players over the years, from Bob Lanier in the NBA, to Patrick Kane in the NHL, to Rob Gronkowski and Joe Andressen in the NFL.

Here at Eastern Hills Church (EHC), we have a similar story. In this case, it involves Stephenie Couch (Garey), who grew up in this church, attended Houghton University, and responded to our Lord’s call to go and serve. It has been over 14 years since she first said “yes” and joined Global Partners as a missionary. She serves with the Wesleyan Church in Auckland, New Zealand as the director of Next Gen Ministries. She is married to Josh, and they have three children, Madeline, Jackson, and Oliver. She mentors and coaches the Next Gen leaders across their church movement. One of her passions is leadership development. She connects leaders to opportunities and collaborations to deepen their heart for God and prepare them for ministry. She loves coming alongside young people who are seeking to discern God’s call on their lives and helping them to navigate the journey. It is exciting for her to witness how God is moving amongst the youth. God has placed in them a heart for reaching the lost, sleeper Christians as they like to say, to wake them up to the love and hope of God. In her role as a missionary and Director of Next Gen Ministries she has come to appreciate “that success is not measured by what she does anymore- it’s measured by what others go on to do because they have been connected, encouraged and equipped.” Amen!

Stephenie will be here with us on Sunday, August 23, to share a little of her story. Immediately after the service we will have a “meet and greet” opportunity in the Living Room. Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to meet and encourage one of our own homegrown missionaries.

If you would like to know more about the work she is doing in New Zealand, you can reach out to Joe DeLozier at Jdelozier@ehwc.org or connect directly with Steph at stepheniecouch@gmail.com. You may also sign up to receive regular email updates from Steph by clicking on the following link: http://eepurl.com/dF5H8f.