Casting Crowns has a beautiful new song entitled “Only Jesus.” The lyrics read, “I don’t want to leave a legacy; I don’t care if they remember me; only Jesus. I’ve only got one life to live; I’ll let every second point to Him; only Jesus.”
These lyrics are a beautiful representation of the life that Steve Shambora of St. Charles, Illinois lived before he tragically lost his life in a car accident on Saturday.
Steve was a wonderful man. He was a past board member, current advisory board member, and long-time supporter of God’s work in Haiti through World Wide Village. He was an encourager, had a great sense of humor and was also a man of deep faith.
As just one example of Steve’s generosity and faith, Steve and his family sponsor 10 children through World Wide Village. In his office where he worked at Moody Bible Institute, he had the photos of each of these 10 children hanging on his wall. He prayed for these children daily. He cared deeply about God’s mission in Haiti.
Steve was also passionate about financial literacy for all and headed up a non-profit called Prosper America. He also carried this passion for financial literacy into Haiti. Steve was definitely an integral part of helping to build up the people of Haiti, both spiritually and through poverty alleviation.
Steve’s passing will leave a void, but his legacy will live on in so many people. 100 years from now the people in Haiti may not remember Steve’s name, but the lives that he touched with the gospel will definitely continue to point to Jesus. Only Jesus.
Please join us as we lift up in prayer Steve’s wife, Michelle, and his children Frank and Mary, and their extended family during this difficult time. We pray for God’s comfort in their lives. Steve will truly be missed, but the impact that he has made in Haiti and in the lives of those who knew him will not soon be forgotten.
The first time I got to spend any time with Steve was back in December of 2015. I had met him at a few board meetings before that time, but we didn’t get much of a chance to get to know each other. It was that December (2015) that I got to spend a week with Steve in Haiti. We had a team going down to pour the foundation for the medical clinic.
We had recruited a team of American construction workers who were going to be doing most of the work associated with the slab. They were all professionals who had experience in this type of work, and they were diligent in making sure we got everything done in the short amount of time we had, and then there was Steve and I…. We were the two desk jockeys who had helped organize the trip and recruit the team members, but we were not experienced concrete workers to say the least. There were many hours when Steve and I would just watch everyone else work, making sure we didn’t get in their way. We also worked together to just make sure everyone had water to drink, that they were taking breaks, basically playing Mother Hen to everyone who was getting the work done. This allowed us to spend a lot of time talking and getting to know each other. It was obvious that Steve had a heart for service, and a heart for Haiti. He always went out of his way to speak to the Haitians and get to know them. It was also obvious it was not his first trip, because so many of the Haitians knew him and remembered him. They had great respect and affection for him, and it showed.
Steve was particularly close to one Haitian, Anel. When we first showed up on the job site, Anel was there waiting for us, and as soon as he saw Steve, his face lit up, and he came running to Steve, saying “My brother!” Anel loved Steve, and it was evident from the first time they saw each other. Later Steve told me the story that he had met Anel on his very first trip to Haiti, with a different non-profit. From that first trip, Steve had stayed in touch with Anel, and even when Steve stopped going with that first non-profit, and became engaged with World Wide Village, Steve still stayed in contact with Anel. Steve even made it his personal mission to make sure that Anel got plugged into World Wide Village and got the chance to prove himself with us. That level of commitment on Steve’s part, to a fellow human being, was recognized and appreciated. Steve didn’t have to stay in contact, he didn’t have to go out of his way to bring Anel to World Wide Village, but he did. Over the years Steve also helped Anel out from time to time with other challenges that too many Haitians face. Anel wasn’t the only one that Steve helped either.
Steve was always an encouragement to me. His always positive attitude. His willingness to get involved in other people’s messy lives. His willingness to invest in other people. His willingness to put his heart out there, and risk getting it broken.
During that trip, Steve and I became friends. I miss him dearly. His life, his service, and his great love for others will always be an inspiration to me.
I have talked to Anel a few times since Steve passed. He is heartbroken as well. He misses his American Brother and is praying for Steve’s family, both American and Haitian.
Even though he left us much too early, I can honestly say that my life is better and it is changed because of my friend Steve Shambora.
I had the opportunity to meet Steve through our time serving on the board of directors for world wide village. One of our meetings was held in Chicago and hosted by Steve at Moody Bible Institute. It was my first real opportunity to get a small glimpse into Steve’s life. From the very start of our time there, it was clear how proud Steve was of Moody and his family! He was a terrific host showing us all of Campus as well as introducing us to Chicago’s philly sandwiches with spicy peppers! He was so proud of the work he did and all that Moody stood for. It was a joy to see him in his element. We also had the privilege of meeting his daughter that day and it was special to see the relationship they have—- one of love and respect! She was a very mature young lady and it is clear Steve’s heart and passion will live on through her and the others who had the privilege of knowing Steve. I know him to be a man of his word who had a heart for the Lord and His people.
Memories of Steve…there are too many to list here. He always had a smile, a big hug and a goofy grin to brighten any day. No one met him who didn’t instantly like him. The Haitian kids of World Wide Village with miss “Mr. Steve”.
There is a huge void without him. Save us a place at your table in heaven, Steve!