TLDR: Fr. Steve needs no introduction to Saint Dunstan’s. He has been a member of our congregation for many years, is married to our Bonnie Babcock (now Ferguson,) and has been a volunteer small-group leader for many cycles of teaching. Nonetheless, please read below for a few highlights of his career.
Father Stephen Keith Ferguson, AKA Fr. Steve, was a career infantry officer in the United States Army Reserve from 1971 to 2009, from whom he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. In 1993, he became a chaplain at Seton Medical Center in Austin, while attending Seminary of the Southwest in Austin. From 1994 to 1995, Steve was the Assistant to the Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Temple, where he was primarily responsible for pastoral care. After this he became the Associate Rector of Saint Luke’s on the Lake, also in Austin, until he was called to be the Rector of Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Spring in 1998. Thirteen years later, in 2011, Steve returned to hospital chaplaincy, becoming a Senior Staff Chaplain at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center from 2011-2023, and the Manager of Integration, Spiritual Care, and Volunteers at Saint Luke’s Hospital at The Vintage from 2013 to the present. Fr. Steve is due to retire from Saint Luke’s by the end of this year, and he will assume the role of Associate Rector with us on Sunday, January 5th, 2025.
Father Steve holds a Master of Divinity from Seminary of the Southwest, a bachelor’s in marketing from Louisiana State University, and is a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College and Baylor College of Medicine, where he studied Bioethics. He has been a Board-Certified Chaplain since 2012 and is an affiliated member of a number of professional institutions, including Palmer Drug Abuse Program where he served on the board of directors for twenty years. Fr. Steve describes himself as a woodworking enthusiast who enjoys reading, camping, and being with grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is passionate about traveling and has led 14 groups of pilgrims to Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. Perhaps most importantly, Fr. Steve loves the Lord Jesus and is an engaging preacher and teacher whose ministry has blessed this congregation for years.
Now, let me answer the following questions: (a) Why now? Since Mother Leesa Lewis left in June to become a school chaplain in Tyler, the Rector’s schedule has become somewhat unmanageable, and, sadly, one of the areas that has suffered is Pastoral Care. I have tried my best, but there are only so many hours in the day. Steve will step into this pastoral care role, sharing all hospital, nursing home, and private residence visits with me. He will also be an invaluable resource for Jerre Bergeron and the other Pastoral Care leaders, especially when clergy intervention is required. (b) What exactly will he be doing for Saint Dunstan’s? In addition to Pastoral Care, Fr. Steve will join in the rotation of celebrating, preaching, and teaching both at Saint Dunstan’s and the Village at Gleannloch Farms. He will be a resource for the staff, leading staff meetings in the absence of the Rector, and he will participate in Vestry functions as appropriate. (c) How can we best support his ministry? For starters, welcome Steve into this more official ministry among us. Beyond this, attend his teachings, engage in his sermons, pray for him, and call on him if you need a clergy visit for communion and prayer or just to chat.
I would like thank the Vestry for their support in unanimously approving this hire. I feel very optimistic that 2025 will be a year of growth for our church. We will build on the foundation our ancestors have left us, and I know that together we can accomplish the realization of some of our dreams.
May our Lord continue to bless you,
Fr. Roman+
