Stephen Gardner

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 presenter on the speakers bureau.

Dr. Gardner retired from the US Army after 22 years where he 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 a member of Kappa Delta Pi honor society in education, the Society of Biblical Literature, the Association for Death Education and Counseling, the International Positive Psychology Association, and Psi Delta Tau Military Fraternity.