Dr. Stephen Moore Martin

Stephen Moore Martin was born in Reidsville, NC to Methodist Clergy parents, grew up moving from church to church and place to place... never in one place more than four years. He enlisted in the Marines in 1965, serving one tour of duty in South Vietnam (Khe Sanh in 1968). Wounded in Quang Tri and medically-evacuated to the Army 106th Hospital in Yokohama, Japan and then back to the States at Camp Lejeune.

After leaving the Marine Corps he began taking the necessary steps to become a United Methodist Pastor. This included College and Seminary at Duke Divinity School, followed a few years later with post-graduate studies to receive his Doctor of Ministry degree from Trinity Seminary.

He married Shirley Lea Bruce and they have enjoyed the pride of their lives, their son Stephen Bruce Martin. Stephen Bruce and his wife Joy Cantrell have graced this family with two beautiful, bright, creative and loving children; Noah and Abby. Through all the ups and downs of the life of a pastor we have been surrounded by people who have lifted us high on the mountain and revealed to us a higher plane of living. Dr. Martin is always quick to point to all the people who crossed his path as the ones who have built his faith and life.

He served forty years as a pastor in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church where he excelled in being known as a peacekeeper and a healer of churches going through difficult times. His gentle spirit, humorous outlook and reconciling approach to life and ministry allowed the grace of God to work through his ministry to heal the sick, mend the broken, and renew that which had all but given up. Needless to say, in most places the Martin's were loved and accepted as part of church families.

Thanks to all who have supported me in this crazy endeavor of writing. I hope it has been as meaningful and uplifting to each of you, as it has been to me.