Steve Howarth has been communicating the love of Christ to us since being installed as our pastor in 1995. Steve brings with him a broad background of experience and training. He previously served an urban church in Chicago (co-pastoring with his wife, Nancy,) served a small rural church in Michigan, and offered therapy to individuals and families through a pastoral counseling center in Chicago. Prior to ordination, Steve was a C.P.A. on the audit staff of Arthur Andersen & Co. He earned a Certificate following completion of a four year internship and residency at the Pastoral Psychotherapy Training Institute in Park Ridge, Illinois. He has been granted an M.B.A. from the Graduate Theological Foundation and an M.Div. from McCormick Theological Seminary. Further, he was awarded a certficate signifying successful completion of the two program of the Academy for Spiritual Formation in Nashville, Tennessee.

Steve is a Certified Member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, member of the Confraternity of St. Benedict at St. Gregory's Abbey (Episcopal) in Three Rivers, Michigan, and a member of the Academy Forum of the Academy for Spiritual Formation in Nashville.

Steve is husband to Nancy and father to Jim and Katie. He and his family are avid campers. Steve plays bagpipes and marches with Feadon Or (a pipe band in Rochester, NY.) When weather allows, Steve makes his pastoral visits astride his 1978 Honda CB 750 motorcycle. Running offers Steve cherished discipline and solitude as well as satisfying challenge. (He ran the Chicago Marathon in 1993.)

An elder once said of Steve: "Don't be fooled by Steve's gentleness and ready smile, he's strong and deeply principled." He was speaking of Steve’s quiet strength and solid faith – qualities we deeply appreciate here at W.P.C.