The Stewarts are: Arthur, Melissa, Arthur Paul, Iain, and Mairin. We currently live in Pretoria, South Africa, and are working with a ministry called NieuCommunities (see the What we Do page for more info on that).
Arthur and Melissa both grew up in Fresno, CA. We started dating at the end of high school (1991), did a semester of community college, then a study abroad semester in England. After, we traveled on the European continent for six weeks with a friend – a life changing experience. When we came back to CA, we transferred to Fresno Pacific University. Melissa earned a BS in Child Development. Arthur graduated with a BA in Biblical Studies. We were married between our junior and senior years of college (1994).
So, we graduated and spent three months in Rwanda, central Africa, in 1995. Our hearts were shaped in the process, and a love for Africa was deepened. We then moved to Pasadena, CA, to help plant Foothills Community Church and for Arthur to go to graduate school. We learned a lot through this experience, and it was a stretching time in many areas. Our oldest son, Arthur Paul, was born in 1998. Arthur also graduated with an M.Div. from Azusa Pacific University that year. Iain was born in 2001.
Over time, it became clear that we needed a change. So, in 2002, we became a part of a new ministry called NieuCommunities in Oxnard, CA, as apprentices. God did some amazing things in our life that year (relationally, spiritually, in ministry), and after eleven months we came on staff. We joined the new team in South Africa in 2003, and we have been here ever since. Mairin was born in SA in 2004.
We love our life. We live in a fascinating, diverse place. We get to do life and ministry in a missional community alongside local people as well as a team of others dedicated to seeing God’s Kingdom realities explored and lived out. And, we get to train groups of apprentices each year in deepening their communion with God in the context of a community on mission.
As a family, we enjoy culture, music, art, sports, travel, and reading.
andrew and family – i think you’re still on “sabbatical” but i am definitely praying continued blessings and guidance upon you and yours!
Hi There,
Arthur, It has been great to see you these past couple of times. Your story is such an inspiration for me to re-kindle my relationship with Christ. As you spoke Sunday of the day to day walk that we need realize the Christ is there for us. God is watching over us. It is so easy for me to just get up and live without taking that moment to pray and thank the Lord for that life that I’m living each day. Though some days may be tougher than others, He’s always there for me. Thanks for reminding me of that. Be safe in your travels and do keep in touch now that you’ve got the e-mail address. I’ll save this blog to the fav’s. God Bless, Jason