In Matthew 22, we read the greatest commandment, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, followed by, love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus tells us that the entire law is summed up in these two. Pastor Steve Branch has made these words the cornerstone of his life, loving his “neighbors” as Christ would. His welcoming nature is emphasized by being quick to laugh, quick to offer an encouraging word, and quick to share how the Lord has impacted and changed his life and the lives of so many others.
Pastor Steve grew up in the 1960s and 1970s in Greensboro, North Carolina, with a mother he describes as “loving, caring, and a single parent in some ways”; she was his encourager and soft place to land. His father, who had only a second-grade education and worked 80-90 hours a week in the construction business, was not demonstrative in his love for his children. Pastor Steve explains that “it was a different time back then”; showing emotion was seen as weakness.
Young Pastor Steve (Middle, Walking) Playing Football
While in junior high school, Pastor Steve heard a woman speaking at a revival, and this was no ordinary preacher. Lula Mae Putman, a professional wrestler from South Carolina, spoke right to Pastor Steve’s heart that night, and he committed his life to Christ. The following night, he was baptized in the Spirit. At the age of 15, while attending a Western North Carolina Conference Youth Camp, Pastor Steve heard and answered the life-changing call into ministry. He promised the Lord, and himself, that he would go wherever the Lord called him. He has stayed true to that calling.
Pastor Steve graduated from high school a year early and attended Emmanuel University, completing his 2-year and then 4-year degrees. He went on to serve as a youth pastor at several different churches throughout Florida, eventually serving as the CE Director for the Sonshine Conference. While working in Port St. Joe, Florida, Pastor Steve met and married his wife Pam.
Steve and Pam Branch Today
In 2002, Pastor Steve was again reminded of his commitment to “go wherever the Lord called him” when he accepted the head pastor position at Destiny Outreach Ministries and moved from Florida to Virginia.
Destiny Outreach Ministries in Springville, VA
When Pastor Steve came to Springville, Virginia, in 2002, he felt at home pretty quickly, saying that the church is “full of great people who love God.” Shortly thereafter, they renamed the church, calling it “Destiny Outreach Ministries,” and he can tell you exactly why they chose that name: 1) They believe each person has a destiny. 2) The church has a commitment to outreach – seeking the lost. 3) They want to impact their community with their ministries. Destiny’s ministries are numerous, including engaging with the community in the nursing homes, serving the homeless, discipling children and youth, and helping young/single mothers and families. Destiny Outreach Ministries also gives regularly to international missions.
Pic: Homeless
Caption: Destiny’s Outreach to the Homeless
Destiny Outreach Ministries Helped to Build a Church in South Sudan
Just a couple of years into their time there, Pastor Steve was approached by a couple with a heart for those struggling with addiction. They wanted to attend training for a program called Celebrate Recovery. Although Pastor Steve wasn’t familiar with the program, he enthusiastically sent the couple on to be trained. That decision began a 21+ year outreach to the people of Tazewell and surrounding counties who have been affected by addiction.
Celebrate Recovery Meeting
Celebrate Recovery has impacted Destiny Outreach Ministries and Pastor Steve in ways they never imagined. The church has continued to love anyone who walks in the door. This love is palpable, and sometimes shocking, especially for those who come in feeling ashamed or less than. Pastor Steve says he often prays: “Father, help me to see people as you see them. To love them as you do.” He explains that the Lord has been gracious to give him His eyes.
Baptism of Freedom
Any Sunday, Pastor Steve can look out from the pulpit and see men, women, and families, who have been released from the chains of addiction, telling of how “a former addict and bank robber sits on the left side of the church about halfway up, a former heroin addict sits there in the middle left section, a family restored after the father and mother both broke the chains of addiction sits on the right,” and the stories just keep coming. Pastor Steve encourages everyone to “Just come like you are”; you don’t have to clean up first.
Sobriety Community Gathering at the Water Park
Pastor Steve says: “Kids need to see their parents sober and having fun!”
Jill Howell and Corey Sparks are two women who went through the Celebrate Recovery program at Destiny, explaining how their probation obligations required them to attend recovery programs to help them stay clean. They both ended up attending Destiny, and Jill says this about her encounters with Pastor Steve at Celebrate Recovery: “Pastor was just glad you were there. I always felt valued and that he truly wanted us there.” Corey’s sentiments about Pastor Steve are similar: “He loves you right where you are. He can see your potential and God-given calling. He makes us feel loved. He sees us the way Jesus sees us.” Because an outward, demonstrative love was something he wanted but didn’t receive from his own father, Pastor Steve makes a point to look each individual in the eye and tell him or her: “I love you. I’m proud of you. I believe in you.”
WVVA (Local Television Station) Interview with Celebrate Recovery Participants
Pastor Steve and Pam have been married for 45 years now, with four grown children and 11 grandchildren. The Branch family home has 21 people gathered inside on Christmas day, and Pastor Steve describes the get-together in this way: “Loud but fun!”
Pastor Steve, Pam, and Some of the Branch Family
Pastor Steve Branch is truly one in a million—possibly even more rare than that. His heart is full of love for those in his community, especially those who are living with addictions. He has made it his life goal to see and love others the way Christ does. In doing so, he has made room for the broken and hopeless to find healing and purpose.
