Page 10 - February 2018 | Catalyst Magazine

dr. stePhen ManleyCross Style School of Practical MinistryStephen has found through the satura- tion of the Word the message of the cross. It is beyond an event; it is a style. us, the cross is not a piece of wood or an emblem, but it is the heart of the person of Christ. Cross style is the Christ style. He must be central. As an international evangelist, he has taken this message to the world. Expositional preaching is cross- cultural and meets the need on every level.Note: the following article/biography was written for the Nazarene Evangelist Perspec- tive Magazine, published in Winter/Spring 2012. Used by permission.BIOGRAPHY OFSTEPHEN MANLEYStephen Manley is a Jesus Pusher. It sounds a bit odd perhaps; some people “push” drugs or alcohol, sex or entertain- ment, and I guess in our own ways we all have something we “push.” But I have met few individuals with such an intense focus on one thing. For Stephen Manley, his one thing, his only passion, his single desire is Jesus. In his own words:I am a Jesus pusher!!!! I am an undaunted, courageous, stouthearted, bold, adven- turesome, brave, fearless, gallant, heroic, lionhearted, unafraid, un inching, valiant Jesus pusher. I cannot help myself. He is startling and He has overwhelmed me. I10 CityLight.orgdo not speak of ideas about Jesus or his- torical information concerning Him. I speak about Him. I am a Jesus pusher!!!! I am a mastered, possessed, addicted and obsessed Jesus pusher. ere seems to be no way to quit. But who would want to?And Stephen does everything he can to “push” Jesus on everyone. No, Stephen is not aggressive, mean, or harsh, but he is intense, focused, and dedicated. Perhaps that’s because of the foundation God laid in his life at a young age.THE FOUNDATIONStephen Manley, born July 18, 1942, grew up in the home of an Indiana Methodist pastor, which provided the basis for his early spiritual growth. Stephen received his call to ministry at the age of seven and began lling his father’s pulpit at the age of eleven. But as a young man entering high school, he was con icted and torn with the reality of his spiritual life. ere must be something more.During the lunch hour one afternoon, Stephen stole away from the high school and walked across the street to his dad’s church, hiding in a classroom to think and pray. ere was no emotional surge, no lights in the sky, no booming voices, but Stephen left the church radically alteredfebruary 2018