Stephen Poat was born and raised in Paducah, Kentucky in a very devout Catholic charismatic family. After high school he entered St. Pius X Seminary and discerned his vocation, not to the priesthood, but as a lay person working in the Catholic church. Stephen is currently the Associate Executive Director at the Jesuit Spiritual Center and has been in ministry for over 30 years serving as Director of Youth Ministry, Parish Youth Minister, Parish Business Manager and Retreat Leader. In 1990 after finishing his studies in sociology and theology at Thomas More College, he served in the Persian Gulf war and is a decorated combat engineer in the United States Army. In 1994 he completed the Youth Ministry certification from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Stephen is a gifted praise and worship leader and enjoys riding his motorcycle cross country. He has a contagious passion for the Church, teenagers, living what he believes and pointing others to Christ. Stephen and his wife Angie have been married for 30 years and live in Northern Kentucky with their four children.