Meet the Team: Chris Steel
Here on the Zine we wanted to introduce you to our CV Staff team. Get to know our CV Youth (rangatahi) pastor: Chris Steel.
If you had to describe yourself using only three emojis, what would they be?
😬 I would use this emoji because I have a habit of speaking first and thinking later.
🤣 I use this emoji because I like to have fun and crack bad jokes.
😀 I use this emoji because I am a positive guy.
What’s your go-to coffee order, and where’s your favorite spot to grab one?
If I am making at home a single origin through my V60 but if I am out and about a small flat white. Get that cow milk in me!
If Central Vineyard had a staff talent show, what would you perform?
I have been known to do interpretive dance to Enya Orinoco Flow. Hands down I would win with my inspirational dance to that song…
If you could have dinner with anyone — dead or alive — who would it be and why?
If it could be a dinner party it would be Ryan Gosling, he is my man crush. And then Napoleon so I can ask him about his conquests and Will Ferrell to keep the atmosphere light.
What’s something quirky or unexpected about you that people might not know?
I know the cat is out of the bag on this one but I am a kids clown. I love cricket and the Blackcaps (the greatest sport in the world), I love to dance (guilty as charged), I have become a wedding DJ and lastly I am Team Dua Lupa—not Team Taylor Swift.
What’s one thing about working in ministry that surprised you?
As a 44 year old going on 45, I was surprised how much I still enjoyed and had passion for teenagers. Seeing our teens grow in their relationship with God has inspired my own walk.
What’s a worship song or Bible verse that has been especially meaningful to you lately?
I have always resonated with the 80s Christian Heavy Metal Band Stryper and their album "To Hell With the Devil” … but a more modern worship tune that gets me in the zone with the song "Fresh Wind." The lines remind me that I need to go to God constantly to be strengthened, refreshed and spend time in the presence of the God I love.
Tell us about a moment in your work here that made you think, “This is why I do what I do.”
That moment was Auckland Vineyard Camp last year. I preached a message on calling and identity out of the passage of Exodus 3 to remind our youth that their identity and calling came solely from God no matter what story they have made up for themselves. I preached the message and it landed in people's hearts, the response time was powerful with many youth responding. God's presence moved powerfully. It was incredible because an hour later God's presence was still very strong with an incredible sense of peace in the place.
So, that moment was powerful but it was the next moment that came after that blew me away and reminded me why I still do this at (nearly) 45. I walked out of the gymnasium to find our youth, leading others in a spontaneous fun game of Spotlight. None of our leaders had initiated this, our youth chose to lead and create memories for others.
How can the Central Vineyard community be praying for you in this season?
They can pray that youth fully encounter Jesus, living in their identity and living into their God given calling. They can pray for youth making decisions to follow Jesus and those same youth reaching out to their friends, as we live out Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 4:19 — "Come, follow me, and I will show you how…" Pray for an increase of love, unity, diversity, community, and a group being light to the world around us. A place of whanaungatanga and people who reflect the Vineyard way. Ultimately that our youth love Jesus more than anything, who get "We love because he first loved us.”