Steven Logan
Steven served on the Council of Nigeria Faithful Works for several years and for some of that time was our chair. He had great ideas and worked well with everyone. He introduced the idea of Council members making personal gifts that in the aggregate covered all our overhead expenses, so that donations from all other givers went directly to projects in Nigeria, and we have done this in all the years since. Steven played a key role in setting up and maintaining our web site. He served as project manager with Rev. Thompson Jemifor on a construction job to successfully complete the student center at the Eku Baptist Seminary. He was one of our most generous financial supporters.
Born in Ogbomoso, Nigeria in 1955 to missionary parents Wayne and Dorothy Logan, Steven lived in Ibadan and Enugu, and went to school at Newton Memorial School in Osogbo and Hillcrest High School in Jos. His college years were at Texas Tech University.
When Jesus was asked about the most important commandment, he replied, “Love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Steven seemed to have learned this well. He also loved the Prayer of St. Francis, and used it to guide his life.
He was grounded in the qualities of curiosity, industriousness, love, adventure and building a sense of community. Although extremely bright, he had a down to earth way of sharing his thoughts. He had a beautiful spirit, and there was sweetness and strength in his character. You could see on his face that it delighted him to spend time with people. He could be working hard on a challenging project and still find a way to laugh and enjoy being with others. In dealing with difficult people he was incredibly patient. The only reward he seemed to want in doing anything was just knowing that it helped someone.
Steven loved to have a good time, and one of his favorite ways was riding his unicycle, which he would gladly share with anyone else who wanted to try it. He was an excellent long distance cyclist. Music concerts, good coffee, beer, and great stories were also high on his list.
Steven and his wife Marcia chose the churches where they belonged because the people were open and inclusive, focused on welcoming everyone and caring for each other and the environment. He quietly expressed his beliefs through his constant efforts to build community and make a difference. He travelled as a sponsor on youth mission trips, and was a host for homeless families through his church’s role in the Interfaith Hospitality Network. He was a board member of a family crisis center that provided shelter and much more to women and children victims of domestic abuse; he led this board through the controversial step of providing counseling and other assistance to the abusers as well.
When the pain in his shoulder turned out to be cancer and began taking his life away, Steven showed courage, strength and poise in his brave journey. During this time, at the close of conversations with his many friends, he would sign off by saying, “Be good, have fun, and love everyone.” He died on June 22, 2018. He was good. He had fun. And he loved everyone.