Stephen Judd is a minister with more than five decades of service in Christian ministry. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1953, he spent his formative years in Portland, Oregon, and St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Gateway College of Evangelism with a focus on ministry and theological studies and also pursued additional studies at Portland State University, St. Louis University, and Arkansas State University. Following his education, he entered full-time ministry, serving as a pastoral assistant in Portland, Oregon, and DeRidder, Louisiana.
For more than 53 years, Stephen has served in ministry with the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI). Early in his ministry, he spent eight years with the organization’s Youth Ministries as Director of Promotions and General Youth Secretary. During this time, he helped lead and promote several influential initiatives, including Bible Quizzing, International Youth Corps, Youth Leadership Training, and the North American Youth Congress.
In 1985, Stephen became pastor of the First Pentecostal Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he served for 16 years. During his tenure, he founded the Jonesboro Police Department’s chaplaincy program, assisted in the establishment and promotion of UPCI Compassion Services International, and served as Secretary of the A-Team—an African foreign missions initiative designed to engage pastors in overseas missions.
In 2001, Stephen was called to Tupelo, Mississippi, where he served for 23 years as President and CEO of Tupelo Children’s Mansion—the largest children’s home in Mississippi and one of the most respected ministries of its kind in North America. He retired from this role in October 2024.
Stephen and his beloved wife of 53 years, Erma, now reside in Prosper, Texas, a vibrant suburb of Dallas. They enjoy being close to family, including their two married daughters, Tamisha Utermark (Chad) and Tamara Sanders (Ben), and their five cherished grandchildren, ranging in age from 11 to 22.
Stephen remains actively engaged in ministry as a Pastoral Elder at The Life Church Dallas, where he and Erma lead the Prime Life ministry. He enjoys playing golf whenever time allows.
Drawing from a lifetime of ministry experience, Stephen continues to serve the church through preaching, teaching, writing, and mentoring, encouraging leaders and believers to pursue authentic faith, biblical leadership, and lifelong spiritual growth.