Founder of Encouragement Ministries, Inc.
About Rev. Steven A. Bach
Rev. Steven A. Bach, Lana’s late husband, was called to the ministry at the young age of 17. His passion for ministering hope and healing to the wounded and broken souls, led him to establish Encouragement Ministries, Inc in 1993, with Lana by his side.
Steve was in the full-time ministry for over 50 years, serving as a pastor, missionary evangelist, mentor, and author, faithfully preaching the gospel until God called him home in February 2022.
Steve will always be greatly missed by many people in many parts of the world. His sermons and his book are here for you.
A Boy From Detroit
Steve was born on the southwest side of Detroit. His father was a World War II soldier who survived the Bataan Death March. In Steve’s words, “He was a good man. He was a brave soldier from World War II, but when he came home from war, he never came home from war.” His father drank to quiet the memories.
When Steve was sixteen, he lost his father to suicide, and he witnessed that tragic event that changed his life forever. His brother, who had already come to faith, asked him to come to church, and Steve went even though he felt out of place among all those good people. There he heard that Jesus loved him and could give him a reason to live.
“I said, God, I don’t know if You’re real or not, but if You are, I want to know You.”
Rev. Steven A. Bach
God met him there, and at seventeen God called him to preach.
Pastor And Leader
Steve earned a Bachelor of Religious Education from Detroit Bible College and also attended the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He was licensed and ordained by the Assemblies of God, Michigan District, and was also ordained with the Church of God, and the Evangel Association of Christian Ministries.
Steve dedicated over fifty years to the full-time ministry, serving as a Senior Pastor for ten years in Michigan. Additionally, he served for seven years as the State Youth Director and Christian Education Director for over 250 churches within the Assemblies of God, Michigan District. Throughout his career, he mentored other men and pastors in ministry, earning their love and respect like a father.
How Encouragement Ministries Began
After twenty-two years of marriage, while he was pastoring and serving in state leadership, Steve’s first wife left their marriage. He resigned his state position, stood in front of five hundred pastors he loved, and told them he did not know where God was.
After resigning from his state position, Steve had lunch with a pastor friend. He was sharing his observations of many hurting people in the body of Christ who suffer silently, fearing judgment. The Lord spoke to Steve and said, “You’re right, Steve. There are many in my body who are broken and bruised. You need to minister my love and healing to them. You will start a ministry and call it Encouragement Ministries.” Steve responded with a resounding “yes, sir” and never looked back.
Nearly Thirty Years Of Ministry Together
Steve and Lana served together as pastors and missionary evangelists for nearly three decades. They pioneered a church in Mt Pleasant, Michigan that is still growing today. They traveled across the United States and overseas leading evangelistic campaigns, pastors’ conferences, marriage retreats, single adult seminars, youth camps, and divorce recovery programs.
In Zambia, Steve once preached with three interpreters standing beside him, each one translating into a different language. In Mozambique, he preached from the back of a pickup truck, with a projector spotlight on a trash littered parking lot. Two years later, that very parking lot transformed into a church, where those who had come to know Christ could learn to grow in their faith.
“He loved people and people loved him. For 30 years, he made me feel like I was the queen of the ball. One time he grabbed me and began to dance in the middle of a resort swimming pool filled with total strangers. We just stared into each other’s eyes and danced like no one was watching.”
– Lana Bach
When Lana was fatally ill and was questioning God, Steve often reminded her,
“Lana, God understands that you don’t understand. He’s a big enough God that He can take what you have to say.”
– Rev. Steven A. Bach
Steve became ill in late 2021, and God called him home in February 2022, at 71. Today Lana carries the ministry forward as its Co-founder and President.
Watch And Listen
Steve’s Sermons
These recordings were made years ago by the churches Steve preached in, so the picture and sound are older. His message remains relevant today for anyone who is hurting, because God’s word is unchanging.
Where Did God Go? When You Don’t Understand Why!
The Poison Of A Bitter Spirit, Being Set Free From Unforgiveness
The Devil Meant It For Evil, But God Meant It For Good, The Story Of Joseph
What The Devil Meant For Evil, God Meant For Good, A Short Message On Genesis 50:20
His Book
For Anyone Contemplating Suicide, And Those Who Love Them
I Found Life Through Suicide is Steve’s autobiography. Steve shares his moving and life-changing story of emptiness and tragedy to one of life and fulfillment. In this book, he delves into various subjects surrounding the dark cloud of suicide, offering a refreshing sense of hope in every chapter.
“Jesus knows how to transform our lives and give us a reason to live.”
– Rev. Steven A. Bach