Dr. Stephen E. Gardner, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been engaged in making a difference through faith and community organizations for more than 40 years. He is the Senior Pastor of Fresh Presence Community Church, based in Maricopa, Arizona. Dr. Gardner is also a Chaplain for Hospice of the Valley, with duties as a bereavement counselor, veteran community liaison, and pre-
senter on the speakers bureau.
Dr. Gardner retired from the US Army after 22 years where served as a Senior NCO on the Unit Ministry Team, a branch of the Army Chaplain Corps. His experience includes grief counseling, transformational coaching, social justice engagement, nonprofit management, public speaking, group facilitation, and organizational leadership.
His education includes a doctorate in Organizational Leadership from North-central University in San Diego, CA, a Master’s in urban ministries, and a Bachelor’s in Religious Studies from Martin University in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Dr. Gardner is member of the the following organizations:
Kappa Delta Pi honor society in education.
Society of Biblical Literature
Association for Death Education and Counseling
International Positive Psychology Association
Psi Delta Tau Military Fraternity