Pastor Stew
Reverend Steward Warner, pictured at left with his wife, Jennifer, began his appointment at First Church on July 1, 2011. Pastor Stew, as he prefers to be called, is an ordained elder in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. He comes to us from Holy Cross United Methodist Church in Reading. He is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and received his M. Div. from United Theological Seminary. Previous appointments include First UMC of Lancaster, Bustleton UMC, Swarthmore UMC, Holmesburg UMC and Annville UMC.
Pastor Stew also served as the EPA Youth Coordinator from 1990-1998 and as the Northeast Jurisdictional Youth Coordinator from 1991-1993. He has written youth ministry articles and curriculum for the UM Publishing house. Pastor Stew has also been featured as a keynote speaker around the country for various churches and youth events. He is currently the Chair of the Camp and Retreat Board for the Eastern PA Conference. He is also a certified ReThink Church trainer. Pastor Stew is very active in reaching out to and engaging the communities in which he has served.
While in Reading, he founded Non-Violence week and developed a Day Camp for children in the city of Reading. He has also served on several community boards and is a graduate of Leadership Lebanon and Leadership Berks programs.
Pastor Stew worked in the corporate world for a time as project manager for Strategic Development for a major Pharmaceutical Distributor, working with leaders of the company to determine the future and direction of the company.
He is the father of Jamie & Toni Warner, and step-dad to Emily and Jack, and grandpa to Jadeyn. Pastor Stew and Jennifer were married in 2009 and reside in Ambler, PA. He enjoys kayaking, biking, and computer programming, and spending time with family.
