Hillvue Heights Church Staff:
Steve Ayers
Lead Pastor
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Pastor Steve believes that Jesus is the source of hope for the world today, and that the church is instrumental in communicating God's plan. In 1991, at Hillvue Heights Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky, he started with 30 members and the Holy Spirit and has learned that faith, hope and love (with the greatest of these being love) will bring thousands to experience Jesus. He has found that churches grow when Jesus is the central focus. Steve has been leading Hillvue through its growth from 30 people to several thousand, and he has experienced the transforming power of Jesus through the lives of people on a weekly basis. His guiding principle is that church renewal comes from staying focused on being a Jesus-centered community. Pastor Ayers believes God has a place for everyone, and the function of ministry is to guide people to that place.
Steve grew up in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Communication from Western Kentucky University, a Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Drew University. He is also an adjunct professor at Campbellsville University. He has also been learning what it means to pastor through his experience in everyday life. He speaks in a variety of settings from small, rural churches to conferences, delivering one message: "When the Spirit of God is loosed among people, something God-sized is bound to happen." Steve has published several articles on church growth and leadership. Steve was a contributing author for the book "Seeing Beyond Church Walls" with Steve Sjogren in 2002 and released the book "Igniting Passion in Your Church" in 2003. Steve and his wife Elizabeth have been married for 29 years and have two children Blake who is married to the former Rachel Tucker and Claci Ayers.
His adventures include loving his family and enjoying the lake, the outdoors, riding Harleys, and golf. The cross and resurrection take him on new adventures daily.
Areas of emphasis: Leadership and Development of pastoral staff, Deacon ministry, Business administration ministry, New Church starts, Preaching, Player Development.
