Church Health Consultant
Stephen Hay
Stephen brings 20 years of ministry experience to his work in church renewal and revitalization. His ministry philosophy is rooted in grace and truth, focusing on fostering spiritual health, dynamic community engagement, and innovative approaches to ministry. He believes he is called to serve churches in their pursuit of health, addressing not only organizational transformation but also the personal well-being of pastors.
Having experienced significant loneliness during his ministry, Stephen is deeply passionate about closing the pastoral loneliness gap. He firmly believes that no pastor should be experiencing true friendship for the first time in their 50s. This conviction has become central to his life’s mission: creating healthy, welcoming environments where pastors and church members feel deeply valued, connected, and supported. He is dedicated to empowering churches to become vibrant, life-giving communities that reflect Christ’s love in every aspect.
Stephen’s commitment to this cause is more than professional—it’s personal. He knows firsthand the toll isolation can take, and he has made it his life’s work to ensure that other pastors and leaders never have to endure the same. By fostering spaces where meaningful connections and friendships flourish, Stephen hopes to leave a lasting impact on the health and vitality of churches everywhere.
Outside of ministry, Stephen has been married to his wife Nicole for over 10 years. Together, they have three sons: Alex, Marlo, and Soren. A devoted Buffalo Bills fan, Stephen enjoys spending his free time drawing cartoons and portraits, playing soccer, and tackling DIY projects.
Experience
VP of Church Health @ Anágo Partner / 01/2025 to Present
In his new role as Vice President of Church Health at Anágo Partners, Stephen is at the forefront of equipping churches to thrive. He is responsible for developing and refining all Church Health Assessment processes, ensuring they are comprehensive and adaptable to the diverse needs of congregations nationwide. Stephen oversees a team of assessors, managing their training and coordination to maintain consistency and excellence in their evaluations. Whether working with a small church of 25 members or a megachurch of 5,000, Stephen’s expertise ensures that each assessment provides actionable insights tailored to the church’s unique context. His leadership is driven by a passion for helping churches of all sizes identify strengths, address challenges, and move toward greater health and effectiveness in their Gospel mission.
Senior Director & Pastor @ Grace Church / 04/2020 to 12/2024
Stephen served as a Pastor and Senior Director of Grace Creative at Grace Church, where he played a role in shaping the vision and direction of the church. In this dual capacity, he combined his pastoral heart with his leadership and creative expertise to help the church. Stephen led and managed multiple creative and tech teams, ensuring worship production, communications, and media excellence. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Stephen also served on the pastoral and preaching teams.
Pastor @ Wilson First Baptist Church / 08/2008 to 04/2020
As Lead Pastor of Wilson First Baptist Church, Stephen guided a small rural congregation on a transformative journey toward health and vitality. Emphasizing the importance of health over growth, Stephen believed that when a church is spiritually and relationally healthy, growth becomes a natural byproduct—just as in nature, where healthy things flourish. Under his leadership, the church became deeply embedded in the everyday life of the community, fostering relationships and creating opportunities to serve. A cornerstone of this transformation was the church’s outreach to local youth, which Stephen championed as a priority. Over time, these efforts grew into a community-wide positive youth development initiative, with the church serving as the backbone of support and collaboration for young people and their families. Stephen’s commitment to making the church a life-giving presence in the community not only revitalized the congregation but also created lasting impact throughout the area.