When Jesus was asked what the greatest command was, He answered concisely: 1) Love the LORD with all your heart, soul, and mind, and 2) You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-39). Once you decide to give your life to the Lord, you quickly come to find out that there are many callings and positions that can be fulfilled, enough to fill a lifetime. However, it is at the heart of Christ we are reminded the highest of these is to love God and love others.
Rev. Stephen M. Drury is a man who could be commended for so many achievements – from roles he fulfilled found in the traditional five-fold ministry(s) to being a pioneer of financial and business stewardship within our organization. We want to take time and give God glory for such an incredible disciple whose impact has moved the Kingdom forward. More than highlighting achievement or position, this tribute is to a man who has at his core a heart who sought the highest calling: to love God and love others.
Rev. Stephen Drury was born on February 28, 1948. No one – especially himself – could have comprehended the innumerable and remarkable ways his life would affect the Kingdom of God through his service to the UPCI. Throughout his 53 years as a licensed minister, he has served God with excellence as a father, pastor, leader, and director.
He received the Holy Ghost on November 7th, 1958, in Indiana where he attended Calvary Tabernacle pastored by Nathaniel Urshan. Following the calling of God to attend bible college, Bro Drury attended the Apostolic Bible Institute, graduating in 1969. Upon graduation, he evangelized and served as a youth pastor. The next season of life would radically change when he began his service to the Tupelo Children’s Mansion in Tupelo, Mississippi.
At the young age of 22, Bro Drury began working at TCM as an office manager and dorm father, while also supervising food services and residential care. Two years later on December 17, 1972, he married the love of his life, Evelyn. In April of 1973 the couple left TCM to go to Oklahoma City, OK, where they assisted their pastor for one year before being offered a pastorate position in Hennepin, OK. While there, the church grew from 28 their first Sunday to running 130 in attendance two years later when the couple left to go back to work at TCM.
Bro. Drury was 28 years old when he became President of TCM in 1976. He and Evelyn served over 1,000 children over the course of 26 years. Through Bro. Drury’s vision and leadership, they saw an abundant increase in finances, staffing, and buildings. Many new programs were established including a school and New Beginnings adoption agency which has now seen over 1,500 children adopted (many who were saved from abortion). The Drury’s also established a church on the campus of TCM which became the largest church in Northeast Mississippi at that time under his pastorate.
After “retiring” from TCM in 1999, they pastored Apostolic Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas for three years. In 2002, former General Superintendent Kenneth Haney asked him to serve as Director of what has now become The Stewardship Group. Since his arrival, Bro. Drury has forged ahead as a Christ-minded businessman serving at UPCI HQ. He established the United Pentecostal Foundation in 2002, LifeSprings entrepreneurial project in 2009, both the Church Loan Fund and United Insurance Solutions in 2011, and the UPCI Fellows Program in 2020. Each of these ventures have achieved great success under his leadership.
The United Pentecostal Foundation has raised over $8 million to fund endowments, scholarships, and other philanthropic endeavors to the benefit of UPCI ministries. Through LifeSprings, eleven businesses have been launched which have committed to donate a percentage of profits back to UPC efforts. The Church Loan Fund has grown to $96 million in assets and has provided loans in excess of $113 million to 275 UPCI churches. Moreover, the quality standards Bro. Drury established has resulted in zero defaulted loans to date. The profits generated within the Loan Fund produced its first grant in 2021 to Urshan College for $250,000. The establishment of United Insurance Solutions has allowed the UPCI to retain $4.6 million in commissions that would have been paid to external agencies otherwise.
The vision for growth continued with the launching of the UPCI Fellows Program. There have now been seven UPCI Fellows from across the U.S. who have brought their own corporate expertise to collaborate with many departments at headquarters on high priority projects to better-accomplish each department’s goal of spreading the Gospel.
Bro Drury will retire as Director of The Stewardship Group, President of the Loan Fund, and President of the Foundation on February 28, 2023, which is also his 75th birthday. Although he will be officially retired from the UPCI, he plans to continue serving the kingdom as a consultant for various programs. His exemplary efforts and commitment to the advancement of the Kingdom are the fulfillment of the great calling of Christ, to love God and others.
Rick Lovall
Rick Lovall is a dual-career pastor serving The Sanctuary of Sikeston. He also serves the UPCI Loan Fund as a Loan Consultant. He and his wife, Kelby, have two sons, Easton and Parker. Rick and his family enjoying having #familyfundays…days set aside for making memories together.