Dr. Stephen D. McConnell comes from a long line of Presbyterian ministers including his great-grandfather, grandfather, father, uncle, and two brothers. He was born in New Castle, PA, but did most of his growing up in suburban Detroit. Steve attended Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA and Princeton Theological Seminary. Steve served the Melrose Carmel Presbyterian Church in suburban Philadelphia and the Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church in Liberty Corner, NJ. He is presently the Senior Pastor of Church of the Palms in Sarasota, FL.
He has served as speaker at the New Wilmington Missionary Conference, the Massanetta Springs Bible Conference, the Wee Kirk Retreat in New England, and a variety of church renewal events. He also serves as a consultant for Ministry Architects, a consulting ministry for local churches. Steve received his D. Litt. from the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies at Drew University with a focus on C.S. Lewis studies.
He is married to Amanda, and they have a daughter, Brittany, and a granddaughter, Brooke. Steve enjoys reading, photography, running around town in his antique Jeep, and watching his favorite sports teams (the St. Louis Cardinals, the Michigan Wolverines, and the Tampa Bay Lightning) bring home the victory. He is the author of three books: Take Me to Aslan: C.S. Lewis and the Art of Trusting, When the Wind is Against You: Encouragement for When Life Pushes Back, and Safe at Home: Finding What You Never Lost.