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Notes From the Forgotten Borough

Reflections on faith, leadership and the life of the local church from Pastor Jeremy Stephens. For nearly two decades, Jeremy has helped churches revitalize mission, train leaders, and pursue the Kingdom of God.

The Staten Island Ferry crossing New York Harbor

Latest post

  • Sorry About the Cat

    I ruined my wife’s post-college plans. She expected to spend her twenties living with friends, working on an advanced degree, and enjoying the company of a pet cat. Unfortunately for her (and for that future cat), she met me: a young man who knew God…

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  • The Second Question

    The Second Question

    I learned a long time ago that one of the most powerful relational tools we have is what I call “The Second…

  • The Rollercoaster of Faith

    The Rollercoaster of Faith

    In Douglas Adams’s The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a civilization builds a supercomputer to answer the ultimate question of life, the…

  • Fire and Rain

    Fire and Rain

    Sometimes we get to see God respond immediately to earnest prayer. On April 3, 1974, a devastating tornado tore through Xenia, Ohio.…

  • Divided Loyalties

    Divided Loyalties

    My youngest brother is a big Ohio State Buckeyes fan. He has great taste in sports. He also married a wonderful woman…

  • Faithful in Unfaithful Places

    Faithful in Unfaithful Places

    I think Joseph of Arimathea is a fascinating character. He was a respected member of the Jewish council, the Sanhedrin—the governing body…

  • When Life Stops Making Sense

    When Life Stops Making Sense

    Twenty-five years ago, I sat in a classroom in New Jersey. The morning was crisp, blue, and beautiful. We were just getting…

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Jeremy and Kim Stephens

Who is Jeremy?

A pastor who loves to see the local church flourish.

With more than 20 years in pastoral ministry, Jeremy serves as pastor of Bethel Church in Staten Island. He has walked alongside churches in seasons of renewal, raising up leaders and joining the work of revitalization, and is completing doctoral work in church revitalization at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Outside of ministry, Jeremy plays guitar, hunts on the family farm, and has completed multiple Ironman races. More than anything, he treasures his wife, Kim, and their daughters.

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