Stephen Verkouw
Chair, Program Committee
  • Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, since 1995.
  • Helped found (1999) and currently directs a non-profit housing corporation serving low to moderate income tenants. LHANDS – Lancaster Housing and Neighborhood Development Services has six properties with 12 rental units.
  • Fitness and Group Exercise Instructor for the Hempfield Sports Complex (2000 – 2005) and Lancaster Family YMCA (2005 – 2020), instigating a long habit of doing push-ups.
  • Doctor of Ministry - Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia; M.Div. - Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg; BA - English Literature, Gettysburg College.
  • Helped Grace Lutheran Church add a large stormwater retention project to its 2020 renovation, returning over 100,000 gallons per year to the earth rather than through the sewer plant to the Chesapeake.
  • Pastor Steve and spouse Kathryn have raised 5 children, hosted 5 exchange students, and welcomed their first grandchild in 2021. Whenever possible, he likes to get around Lancaster County on one of his two old motorcycles.