10/29/2025
📢 Reminder! We’ve launched a NEW Highlands Community Church page! 🎉 Please go give it a like and follow to stay up to date — this page will no longer be active after November 1st. Don’t miss out on what God is doing at Highlands Community Church: Highlands Community Church
Meet Guest Speaker Pastor Steve Benninger!
Steve graduated from Liberty University in 1983 with a degree in Pastoral Ministries and completed graduate work in Christian Apologetics at Liberty Seminary. In 1985, he helped plant New Life Church in Gahanna, Ohio, and joined the staff full-time five years later. Over the years, he served in multiple pastoral roles, including Singles Pastor, Small Groups Pastor, Discipleship Pastor, and Associate Pastor.
In August 2005, Steve became New Life’s Lead Pastor and Head Elder, a role he cherished for nearly 20 years. During that time, he led the church to plant five new campuses and guided a multi-campus team of over 20 staff, including six full-time pastors. In 2024, Steve transitioned to a new role as Care Pastor, continuing to preach occasionally while supporting the church community in fresh ways.
Steve has been married to Shirley, a true Southern belle from Virginia, since 1983. They have three grown sons—Kent, Chad, and Grant—and love spending time together disc golfing, playing Settlers of Catan, hitting up Chipotle, or tackling escape rooms.
Outside of church, Steve enjoys reading, pickleball, biking, ping-pong, classic car shows, listening to sermons and podcasts, and connecting with fellow pastors. His favorite things? Rocking chairs, fruit smoothies, Chinese food, butterscotch pudding, kettle corn, and quiet mornings with a cup of coffee alongside Shirley.
Come hear pastor Steve speak the next several weeks!
