Area Director

Steve Cleckner

Fun Facts

GO TO SCRIPTURE VERSES: Romans 5:8, Philippians 4:6 - 8, Galatians 2:20
HOBBY: Hunting and Fishing
FIRST CAR YOU OWNED: A blue 1991 Chevy S-10, 5 - speed, single-cab pickup
FAVORITE BOOK (OTHER THAN THE BIBLE): Get Your Life Back (Eldredge), You’ll Get Through This (Lucado), The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (Comer).
HIDDEN TALENT:  I can grill some tasty venison burgers.

BACKGROUND

Grew up in Monticello, a small, rural town in North Florida near the Florida/Georgia line. I began a personal relationship with Jesus at a youth camp in Marianna, FL at the age of 17. Studied Communications/Human Relations and Church Ministry at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN where I met my bride, Anita. We were married at the beginning of my Senior year and after graduation, I accepted a church ministry position in Sarasota, FL. I was in full-time church ministry for 29 years in various roles including as a youth pastor, worship pastor, discipleship pastor, lead pastor, and teaching pastor. We have three adult children who are married and three grandchildren. After being a part of helping develop a Christian Retreat Center, I followed God’s lead to join in the great work that He is already doing through Priority One in the South West Florida area!

Steve’S INTERESTS

People are my passion! I love being a husband, father, Papa, friend, son, brother, and follower of Jesus! I love the outdoors and even more so when I can enjoy it with my family and/or friends! God created a beautiful world and I love to introduce others (especially men) to the outdoors! I am passionate about walking alongside men as they seek to become all that God purposed and created them to be! One-on-one, in small groups, or on a men’s retreat, I get fired up watching God do his transforming work in their lives. I have been blessed to develop amazing relationships with men in my life that I can lean on, who truly know me, and who have my “6”. I passionately believe that every man needs those kinds of relationships to grow spiritually strong, fight temptation, and find freedom from past wounds. My desire is to encourage and challenge men to develop transparent, accountable relationships with other men that will help them be spiritual leaders in their marriages, families, friendships, and communities.