Let's start with the easy one first, Steve is pronounced well... just what you think it is, but Whinery is pronounced like the season "winter" just take away the "t" and add a "y" at the end. There you have it. If you still can't figure this out, then call him "Pastor Steve", that always works too.

(Now, to the good part) Steve was born in 1959 in Central California. When he was a baby, his parents moved to Riverside, in Southern California, and he spent much of the rest of his childhood in the Riverside area.

Coming from a broken home, Steve had much of the baggage that can come along with a “dysfunctional family” and by the time he was in High School had become pretty cynical about life in general and people in particular. It was at this point that he was invited by a friend to attend Calvary Chapel in Riverside. After some convincing he decided to show up and it was that night in the summer of 1975 that he first surrendered his life to Jesus. He had no idea what he was getting in to. After a few years of struggling in his walk with Christ, culminating in a 9 month backslide, Steve gave his heart back to the Lord at the age of 19 and has been serving Him ever since.

Although Steve was involved in athletics and did well scholastically, he had been known for partying and a violent streak. When Steve rededicated his life to the Lord, all of that was left behind and he began looking for ways he could please and serve the Lord who saved him. Steve sat under the teaching of Greg Laurie, pastor of Calvary in Riverside. He also began getting involved in ministry at Calvary Chapel, first as an usher, then, as the Lord opened up opportunities, as a new convert counselor and a lay counselor. During this time he was working in construction, which provided ample opportunity for telling coworkers about Jesus. He also began teaching a bible study at the home of his future brother and sister in law. That was where he met his wife, Bobi.

In 1982 he was married to Bobi Sparks who also had been raised in Riverside. A little over a year after their wedding, God led Steve and Bobi to move to Big Bear, Calif., where they had been involved in the startup of a Calvary Chapel fellowship. About 3 months after their arrival, Steve was asked to be assistant pastor at that fellowship. Although the position was a paid one for about 11 months, he went back to construction because of financial considerations. Steve was assistant pastor in Big Bear for 7 years.

In 1990, feeling that God had called them to the Tri-Cities area, they moved to Kennewick, along with several good friends. Steve got a job and began a home fellowship in their apartment. God began to bless and Calvary Chapel of Tri-Cities was the result. Steve went on paid staff, full time, in 1994.

Steve and Bobi have two children, Bethany, born in 1994, and Nathan, who arrived in 1998.