Our Mission

For over forty years, Rev. Dr. Stephen Crowell has held critical positions within the church.  He worked under his father’s pastoral leadership as a children’s and youth pastor in the Filmore Wesleyan Church and the Little Valley Wesleyan Church. During this time, he studied at Houghton University. With his unique leadership style, Stephen was asked to launch a New Faith Community in Leon, NY, which had closed. After three successful years, Stephen was asked to manage a summer camping program for the United Methodist Church near State College, PA. The camp grew significantly over the next five years. Stephen and his team added several different types of camps and expanded their retreat and RV camping programs.

After this, Rev. Dr. Crowell spent some time pursuing various sea kayaking opportunities. Kristan Crowell knew that Stephen still had a pastoral calling and encouraged him to return to the pulpit ministry. Stephen attended United Theological Seminary while he served several local United Methodist Churches. While there, the seminary’s president asked him to serve as her assistant, as United provided professors to teach seminary courses in Vietnam and to help the church in South Korea and Sierra Leon to expand its educational reach. Rev. Crowell earned his DMin while serving in this capacity, continuing to serve the local church part-time. He was also asked to teach a homiletic course in Germany to Vietnamese students over Christmas break. Rev. Dr. Crowell has spent the last fourteen years serving two churches that have expanded to five campuses, where he developed his video ministry and began supplementing his sermon series with books that presented in-depth material, providing a deeper look at the scriptures being studied.

Stephen and Kristan were married in Hawaii while he took a break from pastoral duties. Together, they have seven children with several grandchildren. Kristan has traveled with Stephen to Vietnam, South Korea, and Germany. She studied at Houghton University and worked in cancer research for twenty-plus years. Her talents have been used in the local church setting, helping with video production, writing, editing, and congregational support. Kristan’s insight into deep theological concepts helps Stephen as they write books that foster personal growth for those who hear the message, read the book, and come together for small-group Bible Study.

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Behind the Scenes

Stephen and Kristan share a large family of seven children and several grandchildren. When they aren't crafting new resources, they love to travel the country to visit family, go sea kayaking, or host loved ones at Disney World. In fact, their travel time is exactly where their most creative sermon concepts are born!

We are honored to stand with you as you lead your congregation. Let us handle the logistics so you can focus on the ministry.

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Empowering Your Church with Ready-to-Preach Excellence

The Story Behind the Resource

Sheepdog Ministry Resource was founded by Rev. Dr. Stephen Crowell and Kristan Crowell. Our resources are not generated or written by corporate copywriters. They are forged from over forty years of active, real-world pastoral leadership.

Now semi-retired from full-time pastoral duties, Stephen and Kristan dedicate their time, global ministry insights, and deep theological research to supporting the global church.

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