Dr. Stephen Michael Clinton entered through the gates of heaven Wednesday morning, March 31, 2021. He was born August 21, 1944 in Wichita, Kansas, where he was raised. He graduated from East High School and attended Wichita State University, where he met the love of his life, Virginia 'Ginny' Schoonover. They were married in 1964 and moved to Deerfield, Illinois the next year where Steve attended Trinity College and Evangelical Divinity School receiving his bachelor's degree and two master's degrees. He had the privilege of being mentored by Dr. Ken Kantzer, serving as his student assistant for three years.

From there, Steve and Ginny moved to Hillsboro, Kansas where Steve served on the faculty of Tabor College, teaching Old Testament and Philosophy and sponsoring the Campus Crusade for Christ club. In 1971, they became full time staff members with Campus Crusade for Christ, International (CCC) at Kansas University in Lawrence.

In 1974, they moved to CCC's international headquarters in San Bernardino, California and he served as Director of Biblical Training. While there, he completed two doctorate degrees and two additional master's degrees. He and Ginny served in various leadership positions with CCC for over 42 years. He helped found CCC's International Schools of Theology, and served as President of The Orlando Institute for Leadership of Ministry.

In 1992, Steve and the family moved to Orlando, Florida, soon after CCC's international headquarters relocated to Orlando. He immediately became involved with Vision Orlando where he later served as a member of the board of directors and then as President and Executive Director for the past eight years. Steve also served as an adjunct professor at Florida Polytechnic University, Valencia College and Asbury Theological Seminary. He also served twice as President of the Maitland Chamber of Commerce.

His passion was to unite spirituality, education, and leadership to equip Christ-centered leaders around the world. Steve taught at various seminaries and universities for over 50 years. He had over 25,000 students in classes on five continents. They are in ministry throughout the world today. He published forty professional articles, fifty popular articles, and authored ten books and handbooks.

He served as interim pastor for five churches during his years of Christian service. His desire was to bring the love and grace of God so that each person could take one step closer in their relationship with Jesus. Steve had a deep love for Jesus Christ, his wife Ginny, their children and grandchildren, and for his colleagues and friends.

Dr. Clinton was preceded in death by his father, Thomas F. Clinton, mother, Betty Harrison Fouty, and step-father, Bill Fouty. Steve is survived by his wife of 56 years, Virginia; his children, Matthew (wife Kim), Michael (wife Kit), and Shanna (wife Heather); his grandchildren, Cole, Nico, Julip, Daniel, and Tyne; his brothers, Mark Clinton, and Ken Fouty; and his sisters, Laurel Tiger and Dr. Mindi McKenna.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 10th at 11:00am EDT at Northland Church in Longwood, Florida. Family visitation starts at 10am, with a live stream of the ceremony at 11:00 on tinyurl.com/steveclinton. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Vision Orlando in honor of Dr. Steve Clinton, which can be made at www.visionorlando.org where the recording of the service will also be posted.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Orlando Sentinel from Apr. 7 to Apr. 8, 2021.