Steve was born in South Africa with Craniosynostosis, a bone disease that affects early brain development. After tracing severe brain damage, physicians predicted mental disability, a malformed face and a life of constant pain. But Steve's parents were believers. They called on "the Lord our Healer" by starting a nationwide prayer chain for Steve's healing. Before a complicated brain surgery the Holy Spirit laid it on his mother's heart to follow the example of Hannah, Samuel's mother, by dedicating her son's life to the Lord. The surgery was a success, and the new brain scans revealed that there was no more trace of any brain damage. Steve's life started with a miracle.

Since a very young age Steve had always sensed God's call to ministry. He gave his life to the Lord at a very young age and started growing in the Word. After a period of teenage rebellion he realized that he was heading for self-destruction, so he truly dedicated his life to the Lord in college. Through studying Theology he recognized a God-given passion to teach the Bible and to see people's lives transformed as they mature in Christ. God led Steve to become a school teacher and he later realized that this was all part of his training and preparation for ministry. Teaching gave him the opportunity to travel and live in various countries including South Africa, Kenya, Sudan, England, Taiwan and America.

Becca grew up in Rose Hill, NC, and she has always been very close to her family. She gave her life to the Lord at an early age and one of her greatest childhood memories is singing hymns with her great grandmother. After graduating with a masters degree in English from NCSU she started teaching high school English. Becca has a passion for education and helping others, especially children. In 2007 Steve and Becca went on a mission trip to South Africa and soon afterwards their relationship developed. They got married in 2008 and moved to Raleigh in 2010. They founded Touching Hearts, a non-profit ministry supporting mission outreaches to orphanages in South Africa.

In 2006 Steve became the pastor of a church plant in Wallace, NC, called Kingdom Builders. He served as pastor there for four years before moving to Raleigh. In 2012 Steve became the pastor of Living Stones, a church plant in Raleigh, NC. Since 2007 Touching Hearts teams have been going on mission trips to South Africa, many people have experienced the privilege of being part of this life changing mission trip. If you are interested in going on a mission trip to South Africa or if you would like to support Touching Hearts, please contact us for more information.