THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
Stephen life story is one of, Dreams, Destruction, Disgrace and Deliverance
Stephen’s earlier years were filled with promises. He was raised up in a Christian home which wasn’t easy however, Pastor Leo Barbee Jr. and Juanita Anne were Godly parents and role models. Stephen was a standout football player at Lawrence High School in Lawrence, Kansas, graduating in 1982. Stephen went on to earn All-America honors as a running back at Highland Community College in Highland, Kansas. Stephen led junior colleges in all-purpose yards in the 1984 season, averaging 177 yards per game. In 1985, Stephen attended Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska, played football and baseball for the school.
He returned to live in Lawrence, Kansas for a couple of years, serving as an assistant football coach at what was formerly known as Haskell Indian Junior College. The team record was 6 and 4 in 1988.
Later that year, he moved to Chicago to pursue a love interest that eventually fizzled, but he stayed in Chicago, performing various jobs.
Over time, he found himself drifting into serious problems with drug addiction a state of mind that eventually led to homelessness. At one point, he lived in the Pacific Garden Mission, a Christian-based shelter, for six months.
One day, while handing out religious tracts on the street, he met a woman named Marie. That meeting sparked a relationship, and 10 months later, in June 1992, Stephen got married.
What followed was a long period of family stability for him. Stephen’s wife became a Chicago school teacher, had two children: Stephen Anthony and Sherell Lynn.
In 1994 he accepted a position as chaplain at, Lawndale Christian Health Center a Christian-based health care clinic, where he worked for three and a half years. He attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago from 1995-97, taking classes in biblical studies and theology.
In 1997, he became the first African-American to serve as Men's Director at the Pacific Garden Mission, where he had once stayed. He held the job for two years. After that he worked for Featherfist Inc., still in Chicago for a year and a half, assisting homeless clients.
He transferred his studies from Moody Bible Institute to Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Communications in 1999.
But in July 2000, he separated from his wife and she left Chicago and took his children with her to St. Louis, Missouri.
That's when he suffered a relapse with his substance abuse problems and found himself homeless again, staying in shelters in Des Moines, Iowa, and Hammond, Indiana.
In July of 2001 he returned to Lawrence for what he thought would be a brief visit. Still struggling with his drug and alcohol addiction He floated from job to job and relationship to relationship. During the summer 2005 he was still under the influence on a daily basis. Not knowing one of his drug locations was under federal surveillance. Twice during the month of July he was seen at this location.
On December 21, 2007 while at work in Topeka, Kansas two detectives shows up at his place of employment with a warrant for his arrest. His original charge was 10 years to Life, for distribution of 5-kilo of crack cocaine. On this day he was released on a $25,000 signature bond.
In May 2008 his bond was revoked because of Stephen continual use of drugs while out and having several dirty UA. He was transported to Community Correction of America in Leavenworth, Kansas a federal detention center for federal inmates.
On August 29, 2009 he was sentenced to 70- months in the Bureau of Prisons. While there God began a new work in him. December of 1991 he was License for the Gospel Ministry and September 1997 he was Ordained for the Gospel Ministry. A part of his incarnation he was assigned a work detail. They placed him in religious services/chapel. God was showed him, “He was restored” .He was able to use his spiritual gifts while in prison. Also was about to apply and be accepted in the BOP-RDAP program. This was a 500- hour intensive drug program if completed successfully he would be granted an early released.
On January 18, 2012 he was released from prison after serving 44- months. When God restores He restores because Stephen first place of employment was, City Union Mission, here in Kansas City, MO., just 73-days after his release.
God has truly opened doors for Stephen since his release from prison. He has served at; City Union Mission, ReStart Inc., Grace United Community Ministries and Metro Lutheran Ministry. At Metro Lutheran Ministry he’s a, Program Coordinator. He has played an important role with their reentry program. He understands those whom he serves because of his struggles with, drugs, alcohol and imprisonment.