Academics: Hafler, Steve

Steve Hafler

Executive Vice President
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Bible, Theology, and Counseling

MDiv. (in progress) Liberty University
M.A. in Pastoral Studies, Bob Jones Seminary, 1998
B.A. in Bible, Bob Jones University, 1994

About Mr. Hafler:
God, by grace through faith in Christ Jesus alone, saved me from the penalty of sin and the fierce anger of His wrath by forgiving me according to His own mercy when I called upon His name (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:13). I was then baptized by immersion as the Scripture teaches (Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41-42). Soon after I obeyed the call of God on my life to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 1 Peter 5:1-5). To be better equipped for this calling I enrolled at a Bible college and began studying for ministry in 1991. I was ordained as a Baptist minister on 25 April 1999 at Mount Calvary Baptist Church. www.mountcalvarybaptist.com

My wife, Toni, and I were married on 09 July 1994. We have been honored to serve the Lord together since that time. The Lord has blessed us with 6 delightful children (3 girls and 3 boys) - Emilee, Stephanie, Joshua, Annabelle, Micah, and Isaiah. “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD... Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!” (Psalm 127:3-5). I really “noticed” my wife while serving together on the same mission team to Kenya, East Africa in 1993 when we were seniors at Bible college. Six months later we were engaged and another six months later we were married. Toni primarily homeschools our children but also helps disciple women and teach children. Our home church and sending church is Trinity Baptist Church in Concord, NH. www.tbcnh.org

What Mr. Hafler loves about teaching at CABC:
I serve at CABC to help train the next generation of African evangelists, pastors and teachers. CABC serves as a great platform to teach others a ministry philosophy that places serious attention to the precise, systematic exposition of the Word of God, together with an emphasis on faithful community evangelism and outreach. It is my passion to seek and to display the glory of God revealed, through the Bible, in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). This passion is expressed, not just in theology, but in all realms of learning and should be expressed in all manner of living. The classroom setting coupled with real life ministry in Africa keeps us from making a false dichotomy in the Christian life. CABC gives the opportunity for me to train and encourage African men in ministry to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

Mr. Hafler's Academic and Ministry Background:
After completing a BA in Bible with a minor in Composite Speech I served for 4 years as a dormitory supervisor in the Dean of Men’s office. During this time my wife and I served as youth leaders at Mount Calvary Baptist Church. I completed an MA in Pastoral Studies in 1998 and that same year we were accepted as missionaries to Kenya with Gospel Fellowship Association Mission. In January 2000 we arrived in Kenya where upon completion of language school the Lord allowed us to establish Emmanuel Baptist Church. October 2001 was an exciting culmination of evangelism, church planting, and teamwork. The church was chartered in February 2002. I pastored at EBC through April 2005 (with the exception of one stateside assignment).

From July 2006 to June 2007 I had the privilege of working together with another co-worker to help disciple a small group from a fragmented church plant in Kalulushi, Zambia. Together we taught them Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. We assisted them through a necessary dissolution but continued to disciple the faithful group that remained. In June 2007 Bill Knipe took oversight of what is now Immanuel Baptist Church.

Mr. Hafler's Interests:
My family is one of my greatest joys and therefore consumes most of my free time. We do everything together and consider it the highest honor to serve the Lord together. My wife and children help in whatever way possible in the ministries I am involved with. I love books and I enjoy writing. I also like camping, fishing, hunting, hiking and photography. I enjoy coffee, a good steak, Kenyan chai, Indian food, and getting soaked by the mist of Victoria Falls. I love teaching the Bible to people who are spiritually hungry and that seems to go in hand with difficult access areas. This makes teaching block classes in more remote areas one of my ministerial interests.

Mr. Hafler's Classes

Foundations for Biblical Living - A basic overview of the basic principles in counseling. It consists of an in depth study of the doctrine of progressive sanctification. 
Pentateuch -
Systematic Theology I
Systematic Theology II
Romans -
Apologetics - Deals with the Biblical basis for apologetics, methodology, and the relationship between faith and reason before turning to scientific and historical evidences. Its relationship to theology and evangelism is also explored.
Counseling 2
Pulpit Speech I - A study of sermon selection, preparation, and delivery.
Pulpit Speech II

Mr. Hafler's Ministry:
I have taught at CABC since the very first semester in February 2006. Each semester brings new challenges as I teach a variety of Bible, theology, and counseling classes. In addition to teaching I spend time each week counseling. I have had the joy of helping in the establishment of one church in Kenya and one church in Zambia. I now help in evangelistic outreach in the city of Ndola. It is my intention to continue teaching block classes in several more African countries like the ones I took part to Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, and Zambia. My goal in this mission extends beyond Kitwe, beyond one large province, exceeding even the country of Zambia itself. I am investing my one life in a ministry of multiplication by training faithful men to preach Christ across Africa (Acts 1:8). Therefore, it is my goal when possible to bring a CABC student with me on these trips to train them in a missionary context of preaching and teaching.