Steve Hughes

Two streams have run concurrently through my life—my love for Native Americans and my passion for discipleship and missions.

Since my first visit to Cherokee, NC, at the age of seven, I’ve had a love for Native Americans, their history, and their cultures. My interest began as a trickling stream.

I also remember missionaries coming to our church every year when I was a child and staying in our home. I enjoyed hearing their stories, seeing their passion, and witnessing their love for Jesus. The second stream was beginning to flow.

I was saved at the age of twelve, began writing songs when I was fourteen, and was called to full-time vocational ministry at the age of sixteen. From organizing missionary rallies to international music ministry, Bible College in Switzerland, and pastoring churches in Europe and North America, I became more and more deeply involved in both missions and discipleship.

In 2021, I moved to Marion, Indiana, and began working as a mobilizer for WGM. As a mobilizer, I often encountered young people with a passion for Jesus and for missions but who lacked sufficient training in discipleship and missions.

After making some visits to our U.S. Southwest Ministries location, it was amazing to see how God is bringing those two streams together that began to trickle almost six decades ago. The seeds He planted in my heart finally began to sprout, and I’m excited to see what He does next.

I serve as a missionary at our USA: Southwest Ministries location based in Peoria, Arizona, where I am a member of the leadership team for WGM’s Discovery Experience—an immersive program that mentors and equips young adults for cross-cultural ministry. The Experience provides hands-on ministry opportunities combined with personal mentorship to help young people discover their calling in the Great Commission. I am also deeply vested in serving within Native American communities partnering with local churches and working closely alongside Native pastors, engaging in mentorship, music, camp ministry, and pulpit supply. In addition, I am actively involved in radio ministry and other outreach efforts on the reservations, building lasting relationships, and supporting the ongoing work of the Native Church.

Learn more about WGM’s Discovery Experience!

I value your partnership in these vital ministries through your faithful prayers, recurring support, visits to the field, or however God may lead.

My personal mission statement has remained unchanged throughout the decades:

To employ the gifts and abilities God has entrusted me with to impact the world for Christ one person, group, or culture at a time, by:

• living a life that exemplifies Christ
• faithfully proclaiming God's Word
• encouraging and mobilizing people to experience their highest potential in Christ
• loving people as they are
• serving "behind the scenes" so that others can be more effective in their calling
• creating music that inspires, challenges, or encourages others