STEVEN BRANT

Double Masters Graduate and Doctor of Ministry Degree in Leadership and Spiritual Formation seeking to apply leadership, pastoral, and spiritual gifts in a university setting. Student-centered Professor with expertise in Old Testament, New Testament, Pastoral Care Ministry and Leadership (18+ Graduate Hours in each discipline). Offers 10-year background supporting students, developing instructional plans and organizing and grading exams and tests. Commended for sustaining effective learning environment through prepared classes and relevant assignments and consistently achieving classroom management and academic goals.

• Launched the Catoosa Education Foundation for Catoosa Public Schools in 1995 along with my wife, Cherlene. Served as first President. Provided for stable leadership transition.
• Served three years as member of the Catoosa Chamber of Commerce Board while pastoring.
• Served on Curriculum Committee for Catoosa Public Schools two years.
• Started community initiative and networked with Oak Park Elementary and area leaders to raise $5,000 for the church to host Project Transformation, an eight-week summer day camp for at-risk elementary children.

• Served as founding member and helped coordinate area wide disaster relief as part of the Catoosa Disaster Relief Coalition following the April 24, 1993 tornadoes. Assisted families with grants who had fallen through the cracks with FEMA. Volunteer Team raised $90,000 in direct grants for families and referred another $250,000 in grants through FEMA.
• Served as co-team leader and chaplain for three Volunteers-in-Mission trips outside the United States: 2001 to Antigua (over 9/11); 1999 to Honduras after Hurricane Mitch; and 1994 to Jamaica.
• Served four times as Spiritual Director for a Walk to Emmaus Weekend experience.
• In 2018, took 12 students on Disaster Relief Trip to North Carolina after Hurricane Florence. Spent five days in hazmat suits and masks gutting two homes filled with black mold.

• Served twelve years on the Chemical Dependency Ministry Board of the Oklahoma Conference, including twice on the Executive Committee.
• From 1999-2006, served as Coach for the Post-Graduate Probationers Resident Program for the United Methodist Church of Oklahoma; coached 28 adults just out of seminary in various stages of supervised ministry.
• Assisted in the Curriculum Design for the Oklahoma Conference Residency Program, based on the leadership development model used by the Doctor of Ministry program at Fuller Seminary.
• Served eight years on the Oklahoma United Methodist Board of Education; helped design, plan and promote Sundqy School/2000 Conference program with Leonard Sweet.
• Served six years on Conference Board of Evangelism, attending two national conferences.

• Member of the Society for Pentecostal Studies (SPS) since 2019. Attended SPS Conference in Washington, D.C. February 2019.
• Member of Wesleyan Covenant Association.
• Ordained, retired elder in the United Methodist Church.

• Southwestern Christian University-Bethany, Oklahoma City, OK, Assistant Professor of Christian Studies—Full Time, 07/2017, Current, Taught a total of 23 distinct courses for both undergraduate and graduate schools, online and in the classroom. Learned to use Canvas LMS at SCU, including tests and quizzes. Areas of specialization include leadership, Old Testament, New Testament, and practical ministry. The university is affiliated with the International Pentecostal Holiness Church.
• Oklahoma City, OK, Adjunct Faculty-Part Time, 01/2016, 06/2017, Taught Bible and theology in six courses, both undergraduate and graduate, as well as Adult Studies evening courses.
• Retired from United Methodist Church, Oklahoma Conference, 2010, 2015
• United Methodist Church, Oklahoma Conference, Sr. Pastor Tuttle, 2014, 2015
• United Methodist Church, Oklahoma Conference, Sr. Pastor May Ave./Cornerstone, 2012, 2014
• United Methodist Church, Oklahoma Conference, Sr. Pastor Hydro, 2010, 2012
• 04/2016, 2010-2015
• Pastored and helped revitalize three "turn-key'' churches over period of five years: Hydro, Cornerstone (formerly May Ave.) and Tuttle. Conducted major strategic planning initiatives in all three churches, helping congregations retire debt, reach black side of budget, pay Conference apportionments, and strongly increase worship/Sunday School attendance. Tuttlehelped congregation retire nearly $20,000 in debt and put $40,000 in the bank. Made upgrades to sound system, parsonage roof, HVAC, nursery, and children's area. Brought seven new families into the church and confirmed six youth in less than 18 months. Cornerstonefacilitated congregational merger with Ridgecrest UMC, an Evangelical United Brethren congregation. Churches were over 75 years old, comparable in size, budget and staff. Formed Cornerstone UMC on May 19, 2013 with co-pastor Rev. Diana Pruitt. Hydroprocured $6500 donation from former church family for new sanctuary sound system and screens in traditional church which had never used screens. Recruited key couple for development of young adult Sunday School Class with 16-20 young adults in community of 1100. Recruited community/church leader for workday that generated 70 volunteers and made $17,000 worth of improvements to church facilities.
• Dub Richardson Toyota, Oklahoma City, OK, Salesperson on Floor, 2008, 2010, Responsible for selling both new and used cars at locally owned dealership.
• First United Methodist Church, Farmington, NM, Associate Minister of Adult Education, 2006, 2007, Performed the duties of Associate Minister in Adult Education, including formation of new classes, leadership development, and recruitment of teachers. Innovated and restructured Adult Ministry environment, doubled the number of classes offered, tripled the overall attendance and enlisted 40% more small group leaders. Designed G4L: Grow 4 Life Adult Ministries program and slick, glossy, color brochure with tree rings to signify spiritual development in five stages: Got, Grow, Group, Go and Lead Adult—in other words, a People Path Discipleship Ministry.
• Oak Park United Methodist Church, Bartlesville, OK, Senior Minister, 2005, 2006, Facilitated complete remodel of church-owned parsonage. Involved 1000-plus volunteer hours. Church saved approximately $20,000 in repair and remodel costs.
• Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, Oklahoma City, OK, Senior Associate and Minister of Adult Education, 1997, 2005, Promoted in 2004 to Director of Program Staff, with three direct reports (Music, Children and Youth) and was responsible for eight program staff at church of 750 average attendance. Increased Program Budget in 2005 from $120,000 to $174,000, the first major increase in Program Budget in seven years, out of $1.6 million total annual budget. Launched ten new programs, including Stephen Ministry, Small Groups, 40 Days of Purpose, Ministry Fair and Adult Rotational Sunday School called Master Teacher, which is still in use today. Recruited and developed more than 60 core leaders through Disciple Bible Study program. Responsible for 28 areas of ministry, with primary duties in Administration and Staff Supervision, Worship, Evangelism, Pastoral Care, Adult Education and Programs.
• Disciple United Methodist Church, Catoosa, OK, Senior Minister, 1991, 1997, Served 6 years in first appointment as senior pastor. Received 94 new members, 37 on POF. Led 113-year-old congregation to a 93% vote for relocation and new mission. Obtained $50,000 Oklahoma Conference grant to relocate and change name. Considered a church plant. Recruited, developed and trained 40 leaders through Disciple Bible Study.

• Invited three times to give invocations for community benefit banquets, including twice for the Oklahoma Lawyers for Children (1998, 2007) and in 2001 for the OG & E 100thAnniversary Gala.
• Nominated for Catoosa Citizen of the Year in 1996.