The Zone Gathering

I have to say a few personal words about our Staff Spotlight for today. Steph Modder is a really cool person. When I first met Steph, she was faithfully leading worship for the Capitol Hill small group (in the days of 7 small groups). Now, she leads our NCC Worship Team. It’s been so much fun to minister alongside her for the past several years, learn from her faithfulness and passion, and watch her grow spiritually and musically. Steph is good people.

One of my favorite memories of Steph (though probably not one of her favorite memories) was her rise to NCC Super Bowl MVP status and the awarding of the pig’s head.

Today, we talked with Steph about life, music, vegetarian fast food fare, and a camel named Sin.

What is your official title? And what does that mean you do at NCC?
“NCC Worship Coordinator” is my official title. I am basically the go-to-girl for all things worship ministry. So, scheduling, meetings, researching new music, staying connected with Big Ideas and the rest of the staff, auditions, appropriate cord wrapping technique seminars, etc…

Tell us a little about the small group or ministry that you lead and how that experience has impacted you.
It all seems so very familiar now.. but if I look back at where I once was as a leader… or trying to be one at least… the Lord has brought me a long way. Five years ago I moved here on a whim I had no idea this would be where I would be today. I’ve learned a lot about reliance on the Lord, putting aside personal agendas for His sake (knowing that His way is ALWAYS best), being okay with making mistakes when I know my motives are in the right place and a lot more.. I just love how God takes “the least of these” and uses us to make Himself known and to do His stuff.. I’ve loved seeing the evolution of NCC through the years. See people grow in their faith and practice of their faith…and to see what once were crazy pipe dreams become reality. And I’ve so appreciated being given the opportunity to grow and experience the growing pains in my journey in a safe, supportive and always encouraging ministerial environment. NCC is good people.

Where can you be found on Sunday mornings?
Usually at Ballston.. once in a while I make it over to Union. I miss those guys and the chicken wing bones in our gear!

When did you start following Christ and what have been some of the spiritual turning points in your life?
Said the cute little kid prayer when I was 7 after a childrens Evangelism team, the Abbotts, came to our church and told the story of the camel named “Sin” who tries to nuzzle his way into your tent (heart). Starts with his nose, then his face.. until all of him is in there.. Sin kicks you out of your tent and you’re out a luck and out in the cold. So after that I was Christian.

Had a lot of challenges in college and great experiences. But the most pivitol spiritual moment thus far was actually only about 4 years ago. I went to a conference and was having a very judgmental attitude towards the seeminingly sensational type of worship displays going on and became very cynical about it all. The Lord decided to give me the 411 and pretty much just laid me out and said… ” I work in people in different ways… thats not your business. Let me work in you how I want… Let me work in them how I want. You worry about focusing on me…not them.” Okay Lord.. got it! That was a REAL God experience. Anytime I start questioning things…I always remember that moment… when I knew that I knew that He was there.. and huge and powerful.. and gentle all at the same time. Good times.

Tell us a little about your background (where you are from, education, your family, etc)
Wisconsin is my birthplace, (Milwaukee). Never fully accepted my “cheesehead” heritage though. I own no Green and Gold paraphanalia. Minnesota is my coming of age place (Minneapolis). I went to the University of Minnesota… acquired a B.S in Kinesiolgy with hopes of becoming a physical therapist…music took over instead.

My folks still live in WI. I’m the middle kid (with eldest child tendancies). My sister, Julie lives here in Arlington and goes to Ballston with her awesome husband-Mike, son- Enzo and daughter-Bella. I love them so much it hurts. I also have a great brother, Josh, who lives in Milwaukee. He is six years my junior and has definitely paid his dues as my kid brother.

What is your favorite Scripture passage?
Thats too tough. I love Psalms… I love Ecclesiates and Song of Songs. Song of Songs really came alive to me when I started reading it after learning more about the Bridegroom paradigm of us and Christ. Revolutionary.

What are your favorite books?
Blue Like Jazz blew me away. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, The Unquechable Worshipper by Matt Redman and Praise Habit by David Crowder… good stuff.

Currently reading The Gutter by Craig Gross, and A New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren. I’m not as well read as I’d like to be. Thats a new goal for 2006.

What are your favorite movies?
Waiting for Guffman, Bottle Rocket, Swing Kids, Brazil, The Princess Bride, Rushmore, Luther, Amelie, there are more… not coming to mind.

What is your favorite fast food?
As a vegetarian.. this doesnt allow for many an option. But if I HAVE to do fast food. Taco Bell 7 layer burrito is it.

What is something that most people at NCC would not know about you?
That I once lived in Arkansas and had the thickest Southern accent you can find. Had the southern bell hair, makeup, accent, phrases ie “I’m fixin to hit some people” (my choir teacher used that one a lot). That was a trip.

If you were not working at NCC, your dream job would be…
Being a touring musician working my way into music production.

Who is your hero? (besides Jesus or any other member of the Trinity)
I’ve always been a fan of Rich Mullins. The way he lived his life was extraordinary. He made a ton of money.. but really only lived on what he had to. The rest he invested in Native American Reservations and kids and just loving on people. He lived as a troubador, and like Jesus… no home, no wife, often no shoes on his feet. He was broken, and fallible but sincere and generous of heart and pocket. He gave back all he was given.

What do you do in your free time?
Free time? Whats that? No really, when Im just feeling chill I’ll pull out my guitar, or get on Myspace.com, or go to Murky coffee and take in a cup of goodness with a music mag or a book or preferably a friend I havent seen in while sitting across the table from me.

In NCC:THE MOVIE who would play you? Who would play Pastor Mark?
Me: Debbie Harry of Blondie (maybe 10 years ago Debbie).. just cus shes a cool rocker chic, Pastor Mark… maybe Jim Carey… think that would be GUUUUUUHD.

What is your favorite Pastor Markism?
I think it would have to be “We’re going to tie things in a knot” . Everytime he says it I actually get a visual of a big navy boat rope knotted up with all the ideas and insights all tangled up in it. Weird, I know. Arent you glad you asked?.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 10th, 2006 at 11:10 am and is filed under Spotlights, Staff. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.