Member Profile - Steven Brazzells

1.)    What is your vocation? Steven: Technically I lead Ally Financial's Enterprise Data Governance team, but I really like working with good people and helping people visualize information. Rachel:Homemaker and fellow-discipler of our children

2.)    Tell us about your family:  Steven and I are both from Louisiana.  We met and became friends our freshman year in college in a Christian ministry on LSU's campus.  We started dating in 2002 and got married in 2004.  We now have 1 silly Chocolate Lab and 5 children, who each are a blessing and bring something unique and special to our family (except for the dog).  We enjoy being together:  creating, exploring, discovering, reading, working, learning, and playing.  We also have chickens and rabbits but we haven't named them all because we may end up eating some. One of our hens is named Wilson (Elisa named her before she fully understood they were girls).

3.)    Who was the main human influence that lead you to a relationship with Christ? Steven: My friend Andy in high school became a Christian and encouraged me to go to church with him.  I had nothing else to do on those Sunday and Wednesday nights any more because he was no longer available to play computer games over the modems (remember those things?)  I eventually heard the gospel enough and physically felt the pull of the Holy Spirit enough that I gave in, and because the walk. Rachel: My pawpaw was a major influence.  He embraced the Lord late in life after much searching, and he was very passionate about evangelism and deep study of the scriptures.  I spent a lot of time living life with and learning from him when I was younger.

4.)    What is your favorite Bible Verse?  Steven: Col. 1:15-17 "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."  This is my favorite scripture for most clearly describing Christ as God, and dispelling any questions to the contrary. Rachel: All of Rom 8, but particularly verses 28 through 39.

5.)    What has the Lord been teaching you over the last 6 months? Steven: Patience towards my children and the people I work with.  Rachel: Studying 1 John is deepening my understanding of abiding in Christ, going through some of "Total Truth" with Steven has helped further trust in God and His sovereignty, and then the 1689 Baptist Confession with others in small group at the Flucks has been so encouraging and helpful to have a greater understanding of God's overall mission and our part in it.

6.)    What is something most people don’t know about you? Steven: Cooking gives me immediate joy, as well as shooting firearms.  One day I'll have to do both simultaneously. Rachel: My mom was born in San Salvador, El Salvador, and she moved to Louisiana when she was 3.  My paternal grandfather worked on some of the Apollo missions, as an aerospace engineer.

7.)    Do you have any specific prayer requests?  Steven: To show more grace and strength to my wife and kids.  Rachel: To find full satisfaction in Christ alone and to live out the plan and be the person God has created.