Name: Steve Patterson

Associate Pastor

About Me: I am honored to be part of the State Street UMC family in addition to retaining my pastoral leadership at St. Luke UMC.  I am excited about the possibilities of Recovery at Bristol which has already provided support to so many people in the community.  Growing up in Chattanooga, I attended Jones Memorial UMC from the age of 8.  After graduating from UT-Chattanooga, I served in the US Army 26 years retiring in 1999.  I completed graduate school at UT-Knoxville in 2001 earning Masters Degree in Social Work.  I have practiced in Virginia and Tennessee in the areas of substance abuse, mental health, issues related to homelessness, and issues affecting families. I moved to Bristol in 2006 and became a part-time bi-vocational UMC pastor in 2014.  I am currently a fulltime faculty member at ETSU in addition to my duties here at State Street UMC and St. Luke UMC. I am married to my best friend Cheri Wine Patterson, an IT professional, who is active in the UMW at the local and conference level.

What I like to do for fun and relaxation: Hiking in the woods, walking on the beach and napping.

Favorite food:  My grandmother’s blackberry dumplings

Favorite music:   Not sure I have a favorite genre.  I enjoy listening to classical music, the golden oldies, contemporary and traditional religious music, and listening to choirs.

Favorite vacation spot: Wherever there is a Beach!

Bible character I most identify with: Thomas—He wasn’t a doubter.  He reacted the same way the other disciples did when they first saw Jesus.  He just wanted to be included with the others.

Favorite Bible verse: 1 John 4:16–So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them

 What I like best about State Street UMC: So many caring people who are doing so many things to promote God’s Kingdom.