A Look Back on the Journey: 25 Years at Eagles' Wings

Leading worship at East Coast Conference 2021 at The Tabernacle in Orchard Park, NY

Where do I begin?

3 WEEKS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

In June of 1997 as a fresh-out-of-college graduate, I pulled up to a little duplex in the middle of farm fields for what I thought would be a “3-week internship.” Little did I know that I was about to embark upon the wildest adventure. Today, 25 years later, I look back in awe at all that God has done in my heart and life.

My journey began with I met “Rob Stearns” in Rochester, NY at the second annual East Coast Conference in 1995. A few months later he ministered at the church my father pastored and afterwards he had lunch with my family. During that lunch he shared that he was launching an “internship program” and invited me to join. We kept in touch over the following year and a half as I completed my degree in Music Education.

Then a month after graduation I packed up our family station wagon and headed out to this place called Clarence, NY for a "short-term summer internship.” I thought to myself, “This will be a nice break, and a great chance to learn more about ministry, and get some experience.” Boy, was that the understatement of my life!

Within the first week of being at Eagles’ Wings I was stirred by Robert Stearns vision for discipleship, worship and prayer, and impacting Israel and the nations. These resonated deeply in my heart, and when at the end of my “summer internship” he approached me about staying on for an additional 9-months, I joyfully said “Yes!”

At the end of the nine months I made another year commitment, and…the rest, as they say, is history, as I celebrate a quarter century of life and ministry with Bishop and the Eagles’ Wings family.

FROM 4 TO MUCH MORE

A lot has changed through the years. When I first joined the Eagles’ Wings team, there were 4 other team members and Robert. Today, we have a global family and representatives in New York, Los Angeles, Sao Paulo, Frankfurt, Bangkok, and an ongoing presence in Jerusalem. Since joining Eagles’ Wings I have been to 9 nations including a dozen trips to Israel. I met the love of my life here at Eagles’ Wings, and have established a family and a home here. Besides these outward changes, much has been awakened and transformed in my life.

Here are just a few of the things God has done through this season.

1) Worship and Prayer

When I first arrived at Eagles’ Wings they were in the midst of a powerful move of the Holy Spirit in renewal at Bethany Church in Wyckoff, NJ. By the time I came they were more than 2 years into this extraordinary movement, where each Friday night hundreds of people from all over would gather to spend hours in God’s presence as their hearts were changed and renewed. I still remember every week, packing up the van and driving down 6 hours in time to set-up and sound check before the crowds started gathering at 5:30pm and then ministering until 2am. Sometimes repeating that on Saturday and Sunday, before driving back. In those times I experienced God’s presence in worship and prayer as I never had before.

Hundreds worshiping at a Friday night renewal service at Bethany Church in Wyckoff, NJ

In the years to come at various conferences, all-night prayer watches, and morning devotion times, I discovered the joy and freedom of worship led not by agenda but by the Holy Spirit. Prophetic spontaneous worship came alive in a way that has transformed my ministry to this day.

Leading worship at an Eagles’ Wings conference

2) Discipleship and Community

More than anything else, I have learned the power that can be found in pursuing true biblical community. The Act 2:42-44 model of a lifestyle of discipleship, servanthood and outreach has forever changed the way I see my faith. The relationships that have been formed, the history in God that has been established as we worked, fellowshipped, worshiped, and warred together for God’s purposes in our lives, our community and our world are the true treasures of this life.

At Eagles’ Wings I have learned the power of showing up every day, prioritizing God’s Word and Presence first and then laboring together with like-hearted brothers and sisters. It has certainly not always been easy, and I still have so much to learn, but over the years there have been those moments when you can sense heaven’s Psalm 133 blessing being released as we come together in unity. That is worth it all.

The Eagles’ Wings team worshiping during daily morning devotions (May 2003)

3) Israel and the Jewish People

It is difficult to put into words the depth of sea change that has occurred in my worldview and faith journey as a result of the revelation that God has brought through Bishop Robert and others about God’s covenant with Israel and the Jewish people and our role in friendship, prayer, support and action in response to God’s Word. Two profound experiences that I had were singing for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and being present at the first-ever Jewish-Christian gathering in the Israeli Consulate of New York. Let me explain why. . .

Singing for Prime Minister - I was asked at the last moment to accompany a small group of Christians from around the world to the Prime Minister’s office. They brought a keyboard and asked me to lead worship for a few minutes at the start of the program. As I was leading worship, the door opens and in walks the Prime Minister. I quickly concluded the song and he walked up and said to our group, “The passion I just felt in your singing is contagious, you make me jealous. I wish the people of Israel had your passion for God.” Hearing that statement of such biblical proportions come from this leader of Israel was an extraordinary moment.

Stephen and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem, Israel.

A Historic moment at the Israeli Consulate - I was privileged to also be asked to lead a song of worship as part of the program for a historic gathering of Jewish and Christian leaders at the Israeli Consulate of New York. This event was the genesis of one of the greatest partnerships between the Jewish and Christian community that continues to this day. It was from this meeting that the vision of The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, the Israel Experience, and the Watchmen on the Wall program were birthed.

Stephen leading worship at the Israeli Consulate in New York, while Robert Stearns sings with Rabbi Gerald Meister z”l joining in prayer.

4) Servant Leadership and Global Impact

And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." - (Mark 9:35)

One of the greatest lessons I have learned here at Eagles’ Wings is the Kingdom value of servanthood and honor. I have watched Bishop Stearns and others in our team through the years model this truth so profoundly, one moment they are meeting with presidents, the next they are helping an elderly stranger. The world has their own definition of leadership and influence which often has to do with big personality, power, control, and numbers. I have learned to embrace and live out a very different leadership - one that involves listening, engaging, working hard, serving, empowering, and trusting God to bring the increase from those efforts.

FILLED WITH GRATITUDE

As I look back over these 25 years, I am most of all filled with gratitude that I am part of such an amazing place with people who really love the God of Israel, are learning how to live together in a loving community, and are truly changing the world. May the years to come usher in more of His Kingdom in me and through me as this journey continues.

  • Stephen

highlights in Photos
from the last 25 years

$1 billion drug bust from a tent in Philadelphia?

$1 billion drug bust from a tent in Philadelphia?

You never know what God will do with your worship and prayer in obedience to him.

 Last week Stephen had the privilege of leading the final 4 hours of a 160 prayer and worship marathon called Jubilee 2019. This annual gathering on Independence Mall was led by our dear friend Jamie Fitt and the Philadelphia Tabernacle of David in cooperation with dozens of other ministries.

 Here is where it gets crazy.

What is Future Worship?

Future Worship – Songs from the Journey

This recording has been a labor of love for over a year and half.  For years I have led worship in venues large and small all over America and in 10 countries.  People have asked me "When are you going to release a CD?"  I never felt like it was the time, until January 2014 when I sensed something stirring in my heart to produce a CD of original music.  

I had written songs for years, and (as many songwriters do) a binder full of song ideas.  I sat down with some trusted musical friends and played through the best 20+ of them.  We narrowed it down to 16 and then 9.  

Finally I went into the studio and laid them down and eventually whittled it down to 8 songs.  

Wow! I had no idea how much energy, emotion, and plain old work went into making a CD.  I learned so much about myself and about the creative process through this experience.  

The biggest question I had to answer is "Why?" Why should I make a CD of my songs, what benefit or purpose will they serve.  Lord knows we have a ton of great music already out in the world, and clearly my chops if compared to others could be considered less than professional.  It was then that I realized my "why".  It wasn't for fame or fortune, it wasn't for celebrity it was because God had given me some gifts - songs that carried His word in a unique way.  I remember how the best way for me to memorize anything is to create a song about it, and I thought about how many songs I had sung that helped me understand who I am, who God is, and what he wants me to do. 

So this is why I recorded and released "Future Worship".  To share my journey with others.  The unique sounds and thoughts that God shared with me I want to share with others.  Yet, there was something more, and it wasn't until March 2015 when I understood the bigger why.  

I was wrestling with what to title the CD, when I was in a meeting where the speaker was talking about the two realities of earth and heaven, and how those of us who know Jesus literally are between these two realities.  We have access to heaven, and we can bring heaven to earth. 

Then I remembered the song "Future Worship" and realized that these songs were to help people understand God's invitation to them to be part of both realms in worship.  From the opening track "Ransomed" to the final track "Zion's Call" my prayer is that this album would be a sonic passageway for people to take God up on his invitation to worship in "spirit and in truth" John 4:24.  May those who listen be welcomed into that other place of adoration and celebration.  This is why I recorded this album, this is why I sing these songs.  To bring glory to God and to help people encounter Him.  This is future worship. - Stephen