The Rev. Robert E. Stevens, Jr., attended The Florida State University and graduated with a B.A. in Psychology in 1991. Rob was awarded an M.Div. from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in June of 2001 and ordained to the diaconate by the Rt. Rev. Robert H. Johnson (Diocese of Western North Carolina) in Asheville, N.C., on June 4, 2001. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 21, 2001, at Calvary, Pittsburgh. Rob served as curate, then associate rector at Calvary from 2001–’05. He was called to be rector of St. John’s, Portsmouth, N.H., in the summer of 2005.
Rob’s experience varies widely from being a sales representative for an advertising company to managing an aquatics facility. He has also served as a full-time youth minister in the Episcopal Church. His passion is and has always been connecting people to the creative power of God in community, wherever that community may be.
St. John’s seeks to participate in God’s mission in the world. One specific way that St. John’s does this is by seeking to be a welcoming place for all. This spirit of hospitality is particularly important in the midst of much polarization in our culture. It has been through radical welcoming that Rob has been most encouraged by the grace of God that breaks through even the most hardened of hearts. St. John’s is a community of people who not only worship and pray together but have fun together as well. Rob believes the most important needs of the Church today are strong effective leadership and a good sense of humor, especially concerning oneself.
Rob is married to Jennifer and they are the parents of Hannah (’96) and Jack (’99).
Rob enjoys spending time with his family, reading, running, playing golf, surfing, fishing, and just about anything that involves being outside.
