About

Stepping Stones is a youth discipleship program, which aims to bring youth towards maturity in Christ, through our…

Pillars

The Stepping Stones Program is structured around 3 pillars: Work Excellence, Spiritual Formation and Community Life. 

Work Excellence

Stepping Stones participants will all learn and participate in service during spring/summer positions with Fair Havens Ministries and/or an Internship in the fall/winter. Work Excellence (Service) is an important expression of our faith and God has uniquely equipped each believer to serve the body of Christ. It is during these times of practical service that the Stepping Stone participants put into practice many of the things that they have learned, acquire many new skills, and make a lasting impact in the lives of the guests. 

Spiritual Formation

‘Spiritual Formation is the process through which those who love and trust Jesus Christ effectively take on his character’ (Dallas Willard). Stepping Stones aims to aid each participant in their spiritual formation through a variety of God and ministry focused material and methods. As individuals progress through Stepping Stones they will be given the opportunity to learn both theoretically and practically through bible studies, cabin accountability, teaching sessions – Breakouts, spiritual disciplines, Outreach Events, etc.

Community Life

One of the greatest advantages of the Stepping Stone experience is the community that is formed over the length of each experience. The  Stepping Stones community is a beautiful thing as participants closely work, live and worship together. The community is one of Christian fellowship and seeks to encourage the growth of its members to fulfill their unique role in the body of believers. All Stepping Stones staff will live in cabins, where students of varied ages live together so that lessons and wisdom can be shared between ages in a supportive Christian environment.

Foundations

We want each one of our young staff to leave having grown in their spiritual maturity. To achieve this, Stepping Stones teaches, encourages and reinforces biblical truths and principles, which will change these three aspects of their life: Learning, Living and Leading.

Learning

All of us need to learn about God.  Everyone participating in Stepping Stones is greatly encouraged to get to know their Creator with ever increasing familiarity.  This is done by spending time in God’s word, discussion, prayer, and worship.  Youth will learn many things about God and His majesty, and the joy of knowing Him personally.

This also involves learning about others, ourselves, and the world that God has created.  Stepping Stones promotes constant learning and places young people in an environment to stimulate productive and profitable learning in a variety of areas.

“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith…” Phil 3:8-9

Living

Our knowledge of, and relationship with, God should change who we are; our very living.  Stepping Stones aims to positively influence the growth and spiritual development of each participant.  Youth will be encouraged to pursue God first!  Striving to live a godly life and demonstrating a holy lifestyle are important values that penetrate all aspects of the Stepping Stones experience.  Personal discipline that produces godly character is emphasized.

“…so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Col 1:10

Leading

Our actions, our leading, are the out workings of our knowledge (Learning) and character (Living).  Fruitful activity for God is not pursued in and of itself; it comes by way of learning, and living in line with, God.  A balanced schedule of service, training and community allows the students to continually grow and be effective disciples, imitating the example of Jesus Christ who came to serve, not to be served.  Youth will follow a program involving spiritual disciplines, including prayer/quiet times, worship, Bible study, and reading. They will also be trained in and serve in practical areas of ministry, which may include such areas as food and guest services, administration, program implementation for youth and children and maintenance.

“For Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Eph. 4:16

History

Stepping Stones was created in 2004 to make the most of the opportunity God had given Fair Havens Ministries to influence the young people who worked with us; building them up to be a new generation of God-directed leaders. This intentional approach has led to exceptional ministry.