Jerry and Deborah (Debbie) Gardner Stephens were among 55 people appointed by the International Mission Board (IMB) Nov. 17 during a service at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento, Calif.
The Stephenses will be working in Nairobi, Kenya, where Jerry will be a regional media representative, coordinating the use of media tools for teams of IMB missionaries serving in eastern Africa. Debbie will use her skills and training in childhood development to help other missionaries who are homeschooling their children. She also will work with the school in Nairobi.
Jerry was formerly the director of telecommunications and an instructor at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa. Debbie was a part-time instructor at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham and served for three years as preschool/children’s director at South Avondale Baptist Church, Birmingham.
The Stephenses are members of Hulen Street Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas. Moundville (Ala.) Baptist Church and Raleigh Avenue Baptist Church, Birmingham, were also influential in their spiritual growth.
Jerry, a native of Birmingham, received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a master of arts degree from the University of Montevallo. He is currently seeking a master of missiology degree from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
As foster parents, the Stephenses have cared for more than 120 foster children in their home.
Debbie, a native of California, was stationed by the Air Force in England where she finished a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Maryland Overseas Division in College Park, Md.
The Stephenses have three children.
Share with others: