Dr. Stephen Keith Gibson

After a lifetime devoted to advancing the Gospel, Dr. Stephen Keith Gibson, of Bedford, Indiana, heard the words, 'Well done,' and entered into eternal rest with his Lord on Saturday evening, January 31, 2026. He passed away at his cabin-his beloved "Peaceful Retreat"-surrounded by the love and care of his family, following a courageous two-month battle with cancer. He was 56 years old.

Steve was born on June 6, 1969, in Champaign, Illinois, a son of Rev. Keith and Neoma (Palmer) Gibson.

A lifelong and voracious learner, Steve graduated from high school at the age of 14. By age 18, he had earned a Bachelor of Theology degree from Union Bible College in Westfield, Indiana. One week following graduation, he married the love of his life and faithful partner in ministry, Stephanie Spencer, on June 4, 1988-a union that would anchor and strengthen every season of his life and calling.

Steve continued his academic pursuits with unwavering passion, earning a Master of Arts in Theology from Wesley Biblical Seminary and a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Louisiana Baptist Seminary. He later earned a Doctor of Ministry from Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. His love for learning never waned; at the time of his death, he was actively pursuing a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies at Columbia International University.

Dr. Gibson was widely regarded as a true missionary statesman. Everything he did was directed toward the furthering of the Kingdom of God. He was serving as Director of Holiness Pilgrim Mission, where his primary focus was developing training materials and establishing sustainable ministry training networks led by national leaders in Belarus, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Moldova, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Tanzania, and Ukraine.

Steve previously led Evangelistic Faith Missions in Bedford, Indiana, for nine years, serving as both Vice President and President, overseeing their work in Bolivia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Thailand, and the United States. He and his family also lived in Ukraine for five years, during which he served at Kiev Wesley Bible College as a professor, academic dean, and president. During that time, he taught at additional colleges and preached extensively throughout Ukraine and Russia.

He was a founding member of the Shepherd's Global Classroom Board of Directors and authored many of its courses. Steve launched pastoral training initiatives and compassion ministries across the globe and traveled in mission work to more than 30 countries.

Sacrificial and generous in spirit, Steve's ministry also included pastoral service. Ordained in 1992 with the Pilgrim Holiness Church, he served on both the Educational and Examining Board and the Missions Board. For five years, he pastored Victory Chapel, a diverse inner-city church in Indianapolis. He taught classes and held administrative roles at several Bible colleges and Christian schools, and authored multiple books that continue to equip and encourage Christian leaders worldwide.

Dr. Gibson's leadership left an enduring mark on countless lives. He led with humility, courage, and vision, and possessed a rare gift for recognizing those who had been overlooked-calling out their God-given potential and placing them in positions where they could flourish.

On a personal level, Steve loved to sing and was blessed with a rich bass voice. He sang in the Union Bible College Choir and sang for several years with the Reconciled Quartet, satisfying his love of gospel quartet music. He loved reading, studying, and working with new languages that would benefit mission work. Steve was also a seasoned practitioner of Hapkido, a comprehensive Korean martial art focused on self-defense, achieving a second-degree black belt (Ee Dan).

Steve also cherished time spent hunting on his property and retreating to the woods, where he found renewal in a small, humble hut-a place where he read, wrote, prayed, and occasionally harvested a deer. He enjoyed collecting items from his travels around the world, but the most treasured items in his office were the photographs and memorabilia of his children.

Above all, Steve loved the Lord, loved his family, and deeply enjoyed the work God had called him to do.

Steve's spiritual legacy will continue through the lives he touched and mentored, as well as those who will receive and learn from his writings in years to come.

In addition to his parents of Shoals, Indiana, those left to cherish Steve's memory include his wife of 37 years, Stephanie Gibson; six children, Stephen (Jade) Gibson of McCordsville, Brittany (Adrian) Hood of Brookville, Jonathan Gibson, Zachary (Magui) Gibson, and Joshua Gibson, all of Greenwood, and Caleb Gibson of Bedford; ten grandchildren, Shalynn, Spencer, Emily, Mackenzie, Veronica, Juliette, Liam, Juniper, Stephen Lee, and Elizabeth; a sister, Karen (Jeff) Tyler of Shelbyville; a sister-in-law, Michelle Gibson of Shoals; and several nieces and nephews.

Waiting to welcome Steve into Heaven was his younger brother, James Gibson, who also passed away from cancer just hours earlier on the same evening.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Southport Church of the Nazarene, 920 E. Southport Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, with Rev. Tim Keep officiating. Burial will follow at Washington Park East Cemetery.

Friends may call at the church from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, and for one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Dr. Gibson's funeral service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at 11:00 am Saturday by Clicking Here.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holiness Pilgrim Mission by Clicking Here or to the funeral home to assist the family with funeral expenses by Clicking Here.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Sproles Family Funeral Home in New Castle. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.sprolesfamilycares.com.

The Sproles family and staff are deeply honored to serve the family of Dr. Stephen Keith Gibson.