Rev. Stacey Steck
Long-term volunteer in Costa Rica
Serving at the invitation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church
of Costa Rica
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About Stacey Steck's ministry
Long-term volunteer Stacey Steck was appointed in January 2009 to serve as associate for congregational growth and development at the invitation of the Costa Rican Presbyterian Church (IEPC, or Iglesia Evangelica Presbiteriana Costarricense).
Stacey serves the IEPC by giving workshops and developing resources and by advising the church in the areas of leadership development, discernment of vocation, strategic planning and stewardship. He is also responsible for helping Presbyterian congregations in the United States have meaningful visits and mission trips to Costa Rica. He takes care of logistics, helps plan the educational program, accompanies the visitors, and leads reflections with the participants to draw out the significance of their experience.
Stacey also serves as half-time pastor of the Escazú Christian Fellowship, an English-speaking congregation in San José, Costa Rica’s capital city.
The IEPC was formed in 1985 with seven churches and was known as the Fraternity of Costa Rican Evangelical Churches (FIEC). Now with 23 churches and missions, the IEPC considers itself an evangelical church that has inherited the basic principles of the Reformation.
The IEPC’s newly adopted mission statement describes its identity as “a people of God that lives and proclaims the Christian faith and the holistic transformation of society so that all may live in peace and plenty.”
Country context
Costa Rica borders the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Caribbean Sea to the east, Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. It has one of the highest life expectancies in Central America. Tourism and commerce are Costa Rica’s main industries, accounting for 68 percent of its GDP. It has a growing technology/computer chip industry, and its main agricultural products include bananas, coffee, sugar and beef. Although it is one of the most prosperous nations in Central America, 15–20 percent of the population live at or below poverty levels. About three-quarters of the population are Roman Catholic and approximately 15 percent are Protestant.
About Stacey Steck
Although just appointed by the PC(USA) as a long-term volunteer in January 2009, Stacey has been in Costa Rica serving the Escazú Christian Fellowship since June 2006. Prior to that he served as stated supply pastor and head of staff at First Presbyterian Church in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
“I have been blessed to be part of the IEPC," writes Stacey. "I’m impressed by their dedication to growing vital churches and a vital institution to serve those churches. Their style is more emotive than most U.S. Presbyterians are used to, including outward expressions of joy and grief that remind me greatly of the Psalms.”
Stacey holds a B.A. in communication from The American University in Washington, D.C., and an M.Div. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He is ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament and is a minister member of Minnesota Valleys Presbytery.
Stacey is married to Flora Calderón-Steck and they have one child, Julian.
Birthdays:
Stacey - November 11
Flora - July 8
Julian - February 5, 2009
