Born and raised in Colorado, Kevin L. Stephens enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1988 upon graduating from High School. Initially trained as a Field Artilleryman, his varied duties included: basic rifleman, artillery cannoneer, small & large truck operator, administration, inspecting and instructing, recruiting, as well as various other tasks and duties. During his ten years of service, Kevin was able to attend multiple vocational schools including but not limited to: field artillery cannon crewman course, recruiter school, sergeant equivalency, sergeant nonresident, and staff noncommissioned officer career nonresident programs. In 1991, then Corporal Stephens, served a tour in Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm. Throughout his career in the United States Marine Corps, Kevin received many different awards, citations, ribbons, and medals: [to include but not limited to] Combat Action Ribbon, Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, Sea Service Deployment (with 2 stars), Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 3 stars) , Kuwait Liberation Medal, and National Defense Medal are just a few of these recognitions that he has received during his period of service. Kevin received his last promotion on January 1, 1998; making the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6) before being discharged later that year.

Kevin Stephens married his wife, April, in 1994, and in July 1998 he left the military to begin his civilian career. Since then, he has worked in various mechanical fields as a technician, store manager, mill maintenance mechanic, and contract coordinator for Asarco [a Tucson based copper mining company]. Kevin attended the University of Phoenix (Online) maintaining a 3.8 GPA while seeking his degree in Business Management.

In 2002, Kevin and April moved to Vail, Arizona. They visited Tucson Baptist Church, and April began attending faithfully while Kevin, who was not a Christian at the time, attended occasionally. As God worked on Kevin’s heart, he became more interested in [and started being faithful] at the church. Between the Holy Spirit’s conviction, the encouragement of his wife, and the prompting of Pastor Jim Howard at Tucson Baptist, … Kevin finally gave his heart to the Lord in 2008.

Since his salvation, Brother Stephens has grown in his walk and love for the Lord, and he has enjoyed serving in the ministry. He has previously served as a Senior Pastor, worked as the Superintendent / Youth Pastor in children’s and youth departments, performed as a Deacon, and began a RV park ministry, as well as traveled on multiple mission trips. In 2017, he graduated with High Honors and as Salutatorian from Tucson Baptist Bible Institute with a Degree in Biblical Studies. Upon graduating, Kevin was provided the honor to teach at the same Bible Institute during the following school year. In January of 2018, Kevin was ordained to preach by Pastor Brent Armstrong and the congregation of Tucson Baptist Church, and shortly thereafter he began looking for a church to pastor. In the spring of the same year, he heard that Pastor Tom Williams at Community Baptist Church of Devine, Texas was retiring and that the church needed a new pastor. After several long phone conversations with Pastor Williams, Kevin, his wife, and teenage daughter decided to travel to the small town and candidate for the position. The Stephens’ and Community Baptist both spent much time in prayer, … and in May 2018, Brother Stephens accepted the position of Senior Pastor. He preached his first sermon as the official pastor of Community Baptist Church on July 1, 2018. On August 5, 2018, an official Installation Ceremony occurred at this small country church with a big heart seeking to spread the “good news” throughout their community.

Kevin Stephens continued to faithfully serve as the pastor of Community Baptist Church until June 30, 2024 [a total of 6 beautiful years]; recently, after many discussions with Pastor Russel Riggs and numerous hours of praying, Kevin realized that God has called him into a new ministry here at Town East Baptist Church and Town East Christian School.

Kevin and April have three married adult children – Richard (Amber), Catherine (Paul), and Jenna Lee (Eric). They also currently have eight grandchildren (Dylan, Hunter, Madilynn, Everard, Genevieve, Aurelia, Cassius, and Kian).

Pastor Stephens is excited to join the Town East Baptist family … and they look forward to the future with great anticipation of what the Lord will do.