Stephanie Tongeman: Leading with Faith and Purpose
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Stephanie Tongeman, a dedicated leader at Beverley Baptist Church (BBC), carries a rich legacy of faith and service. Her spiritual journey is rooted in her parents' conversion during the Billy Graham crusades in the 60s, a testament to the enduring impact of faith on family. Born in London, Stephanie moved frequently due to her father's role as a Church of England vicar. For the past 20 years, she has made Beverley her home, a town with deep personal connections as it was her mother's childhood home.
Stephanie’s life is a blend of personal and communal commitments. She has been married to David for 30 years, and together they have two adult daughters who have embarked on their own journeys. Her nearly nine-year tenure on the leadership team at BBC reflects her unwavering dedication to her faith community. Outside of her church responsibilities, Stephanie finds joy in her garden, reading, and sharing meals with loved ones. She has recently begun studying Greek again, a nod to her lifelong love of learning. Additionally, she devotes significant time to caring for three elderly relatives in Beverley, embodying her values of family and service.
In 2016, a serendipitous moment led Stephanie to St Hild. At a career crossroads after eight years of teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages at Hull College, she was inspired by a friend’s decision to pursue a degree in theology. The prospect of deepening her biblical knowledge while enhancing her leadership skills at BBC was too good to pass up. "I love studying, I love the Bible, and I had just taken on leadership responsibilities at BBC," she reflects. Although the journey took six years, the experience was deeply rewarding.
Today, Stephanie is the Manager of the Armstrong Centre, a vibrant hub leased and operated by her church community. The Centre serves as a place of prayer, worship, and hospitality for Beverley’s wider community. Taking on the lease during the first Covid lockdown was a significant step for a church that had been renting school halls for nearly 30 years. Her role is multifaceted, involving the upgrade and maintenance of the building, managing the café and staff, and ensuring that the Centre remains a Christ-centred space. "My role is practical but also spiritual as I seek to ‘safeguard’ the Christ-centredness of what we do here," she explains.
Stephanie finds great joy in the increased interactions with people who don’t know Jesus, facilitated by the Armstrong Centre. "I meet more people who don’t know Jesus than I would have ever done prior to us having the Centre," she notes. She witnesses God's work in myriad ways, both within the faith community and beyond. The Centre features a designated prayer space open to all, with hopes of evolving into a House of Prayer.
The Centre has also become a beacon for those seeking to reconnect with their faith. "We have more people coming to our Sunday gatherings who have returned to their faith, having encountered us online or through the Centre during the week," she says. The weekly toddler group might soon expand into a Saturday morning worship space for families, and a monthly meal for seniors includes worship and reflection.
Stephanie's ministry continues to grow, and she yearns to see more people with no church background become devoted followers of Jesus. "There are glimmers of this happening in the lives of those around us, and we keep praying for that," she shares, hopeful and steadfast in her mission.
Stephanie’s time at St Hild has been a wellspring of practical and spiritual enrichment. "There isn’t a day that goes by when I’m not applying the things I learnt during my studies at St Hild," she says. The education she received influences everything from planning Sunday sermons to supporting individuals struggling with mental health or homelessness.
The diversity of thought and practice among her fellow students was a particular highlight. "I learnt as much from my fellow students as I did from my tutors," she acknowledges. Engaging with peers from various traditions led to robust conversations and challenged her preconceptions, fostering a deeper understanding of God’s work in the world.
St Hild’s academic rigour honed her thinking and writing, while the exposure to different Christian practices, such as Eastern Orthodox iconography and Celtic liturgy, enriched her spiritual life. Stephanie also learned to be more intentional in seeing Christ in others and recognizing His work in all creation. The friendships and mentors she gained at St Hild continue to shape her ministry.
Reflecting on her journey, Stephanie expresses profound gratitude. "I’m very grateful to have had the experience I had at St Hild. It greatly influenced how I approach my spiritual practice and the day-to-day outworking of my faith in the diverse situations I presently find myself in."
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