Rev. Dr. SteveN C. Van Ostran
Rev. Dr. Steve Van Ostran was called to serve as Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains in January of 2008. Prior to his call to the ABCRM, he served the ABC of the Central Region as the Associate Executive Minister and Minister of Administration for five years. “My call to regional work has grown out of the calling and practice of being a local church pastor,” says Van Ostran. His vision for the local church is to reclaim the “incarnational” nature that is described by the Apostle Paul by depicting the church as “The Body of Christ” (1 Cor. 12:27). It is his desire to help local churches reconnect with their community and to discover new avenues of ministry within those communities.
Steve came to regional work from 18 years of pastoral ministry, having served four congregations during that time. He was the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Ottawa, Kansas from 1998 to 2003. During that time he also served as an adjunct professor at Ottawa University teaching courses in New Testament, Speech, and Mass Communications. He also served on the Planning Commission of the City of Ottawa and worked extensively with the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce and the Franklin County Habitat for Humanity. Prior to coming to Ottawa he served churches in Carbondale, IL, Wood River, IL and Madison, IN.
Steve received his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in June of 1994. He received his Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in May of 1997. His undergraduate degree was from Missouri Southern State College in Criminal Justice Administration.
Dr. Van Ostran serves on a number of Boards including the Board of Trustees for The American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkley, CA and the American Baptist Homes of the Midwest. He previously served as a trustee for Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City.
Dr. Van Ostran is married with three children. His wife Debbie is trained as an interior architect. Their oldest son, R.C. (Rodney Charles) serves in the US Navy. Peter, their middle child, lives in Topeka, KS where he attends University and serves in the Air Force Reserve. Their daughter, Paige, is a freshman at University of Wyoming in Laramie.
Steve and Debbie enjoy the process of fixing up and renewing their home. In addition, Steve enjoys running, playing golf and other outdoor activities. He is also on a quest to discover the perfect hamburger so suggestions and invitations are always welcome!
Steve came to regional work from 18 years of pastoral ministry, having served four congregations during that time. He was the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Ottawa, Kansas from 1998 to 2003. During that time he also served as an adjunct professor at Ottawa University teaching courses in New Testament, Speech, and Mass Communications. He also served on the Planning Commission of the City of Ottawa and worked extensively with the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce and the Franklin County Habitat for Humanity. Prior to coming to Ottawa he served churches in Carbondale, IL, Wood River, IL and Madison, IN.
Steve received his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in June of 1994. He received his Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in May of 1997. His undergraduate degree was from Missouri Southern State College in Criminal Justice Administration.
Dr. Van Ostran serves on a number of Boards including the Board of Trustees for The American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkley, CA and the American Baptist Homes of the Midwest. He previously served as a trustee for Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City.
Dr. Van Ostran is married with three children. His wife Debbie is trained as an interior architect. Their oldest son, R.C. (Rodney Charles) serves in the US Navy. Peter, their middle child, lives in Topeka, KS where he attends University and serves in the Air Force Reserve. Their daughter, Paige, is a freshman at University of Wyoming in Laramie.
Steve and Debbie enjoy the process of fixing up and renewing their home. In addition, Steve enjoys running, playing golf and other outdoor activities. He is also on a quest to discover the perfect hamburger so suggestions and invitations are always welcome!