Steers
M E E T T H E
James and Caroline Steer are coming to join us St Andrew the Great , heading up the international work from Easter . The StAG Mag got in touch to find out a bit more about them …
When did you move to Thailand and what have you been doing there ? It depends who you ask ! Caroline lived for four years in Thailand whilst single and then we ’ ve been there for five years since getting married . Caroline served with a student ministry in central Thailand , and after marriage we lived in a rural unreached district where we were involved in evangelism . Over the past two years , we ’ ve worked in finance and different administration roles in the OMF office in Bangkok . We have enjoyed learning from the Thai staff and discipling young families at church .
What have been some of the main lessons God has been teaching you whilst in Thailand ? Love for others who are different to us . Patience and humility when we don ’ t understand what ’ s going on . The importance of the Bible being clearly and faithfully taught , and the gospel not being assumed .
How did you become a Christian ? James : I grew up in a Christian family and can ’ t remember a time when I didn ’ t trust Jesus as my Saviour . Having said that though , university was a really key time in helping me understand the gospel simply and clearly . Caroline : My great-uncle ’ s funeral was on my 13th birthday and I read a gospel tract which convicted me of God ’ s goodness and my death-deserving sin . I repented and believed the good news of Jesus ’ s death and resurrection to bring me forgiveness of sins and life in Him . So my birthday is also my birth-day !
What are you most looking forward to about moving to Cambridge ? Being able to settle in our new home ( we ’ ve been nomads for the past four months ), and joining the StAG church family .
How can we best be supporting you as you move here ? Please pray for us as we arrive and adjust to many changes : neither of us have ever lived in Cambridge and we ’ ve been used to churches that are smaller than the StAG staff team ! Please also be patient with us as we begin to get to know the church family and remember people ’ s names .
What excites you most about the International work here at StAG ? That God , in his goodness , might use the work among international students to grow and establish his church in Asia more deeply .
Favourite Thai food ?
ผัดขิงหมู – fried ginger with pork .
Favourite Christian book ? Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor by D . A . Carson .
Bangkok tuk-tuk or London bus ? Tuk-tuk for speed ; but bus for safety !