Step Off Ministries

Last Sunday Night I attended a service at Step Off Ministries. Step Off is a ministry targeted at Asian gangsters. So I felt a little out of place when I first walked in. A group of people were smoking out front. The entrance was a big garage door that opened up into what looked like a small warehouse with graffiti on the walls. A table was set up with refreshments on it. A few sofas were facing a flat screen TV. A weight bench and punching bag occupied one corner and a basketball hoop was stationed on the other side of the room. White lawn chairs facing a stage took up most of the room. I was greeted by Mark, a staff member of Step Off. He told me a little bit about the ministry and gave me the information that I have posted below. Click on the documents to make them larger.

I think it is interesting that the pastor refers to gangsters as knuckle heads in this greeting.

A Christian music label, studio, and radio station seem ambitious to me, but God has allowed the ministry to be very effective and I don't doubt that these goals will be blessed. This video gives a good feel for what Step Off is all about.

Step Off records all of their sermons and posts them on their website. Check out photos of Step Off here.

The service began with very loud worship music. The room they meet in is not designed to soak up any sound. I was familiar with the songs they played, they were just a lot louder than usual. After the songs ended, the sermon began. Sam, the head pastor, spoke about resolving conflict without creating more conflict by fighting. The way that Sam presented the message seemed very accessible to gangsters. He even used mild language as he preached. He challenged the young congregation to find out why something is important to others that is not important to one's self. The word that would sum up this sermon is, "listen." He preached from Proverbs 18:13 and Proverbs 20:5. Sam must do a lot of listening to find out what is important to gangsters. He's got to listen to have an effective ministry. I talked to Sam after the service. He told me that you know you've messed your life up if you are attending Step Off. The members at step off are very honest about having messed up their lives in the past, but they truly desire to know God and walk on the path of Righteousness.

Time Log: Feb. 15, 2009. 7pm-8pm.