Pastor Stephen L Girsh, Sr

Pastor Stephen L. Girsh Sr. brings an incredible depth of musical talent to the  Abbott Methodist Church. His passion for music enhances our worship, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all. Through his leadership, we are inspired to connect with our faith in a profound and uplifting way. Join us as we celebrate the power of  music in our services!

Pastor Biography — First-Person Version (Updated 2026)

My name is Stephen L. Girsh Sr., and I have the privilege of serving as Pastor, caretaker, manager, and President/Treasurer of Abbott Methodist Church in Abbott, Texas. My life has been shaped by faith, public service, ministry, music, family, and a deep commitment to preserving the heritage of the church God has entrusted to me.

My journey into ministry spans more than four decades. I first became involved in music ministry in the early 1980s while serving in a small Methodist church in Pattison, Texas. Throughout the years, music has remained one of the most meaningful ways I have connected with others and shared the Gospel. I later served as choir director at King Memorial United Methodist Church in Whitney, Texas, where my wife Brenda and I were married in 1992.

It was at King Memorial that I first met Don Reed, a friendship that would eventually help shape the next chapter of my life. After Abbott Methodist Church reopened in 2006, Don frequently invited me to provide special music during worship services. Those visits created a lasting bond with the congregation and the community. In 2009, after leaving King Memorial, I officially joined Abbott Methodist Church, a church that had already become home to my heart.

I was ordained through the Universal Life Church in July 2016 and was honored to be ordained as Pastor by Abbott Methodist Church on January 2, 2022. That day remains one of the most meaningful milestones in my ministry.

Before his passing, Don Reed personally asked me to assume responsibility for the care, management, and future of Abbott Methodist Church. I accepted that calling with humility and gratitude. I continue to serve in that role today, carrying forward the vision entrusted to me by Don Reed and by Willie and Bobbie Nelson, whose dedication helped save the church from closure and relocation before its historic reopening in 2006.

I am blessed to serve alongside a team of pastors who each bring unique gifts and perspectives to our congregation. Together, we work to provide biblical teaching, encouragement, fellowship, and spiritual guidance for all who enter our doors.

During my years at Abbott Methodist Church, I have become increasingly passionate about preserving both our church history and our witness to future generations. I have worked to document the story of Abbott Methodist Church through photographs, historical research, archived media, and special projects that celebrate the faithfulness of those who came before us. I believe honoring our past helps strengthen our future.

In recent years, God has also opened doors for outreach beyond the church walls through digital ministry. Through the Abbott Methodist Church website, social media presence, video production, and the church podcast, I seek to share messages of hope, encouragement, and the Gospel with people who may never have the opportunity to walk through our front doors. Whether speaking from the pulpit, recording a podcast, or sharing a devotional online, my goal remains the same: to point people toward Jesus Christ.

Before entering full-time church leadership, I spent many years serving the citizens of Hill County in law enforcement, eventually retiring after a career that included service as Chief Deputy and Lieutenant in charge of Courthouse Security. Those experiences taught me the importance of leadership, responsibility, integrity, and service to others, qualities that continue to guide my ministry today.

One of the greatest blessings of my life was sharing ministry and family with my wife, Brenda. Her faith, love, encouragement, and steadfast devotion to God touched countless lives and remain part of the spiritual foundation of our church family. Her influence continues to inspire me daily as I carry on the work we loved together.

Today, I view my role as part of a much larger story. It is a story that stretches from the faithful members who kept Abbott Methodist Church alive through difficult years, to Bernice Pope, Don Reed, Willie and Bobbie Nelson, and the many others who sacrificed so that this church could remain a beacon of faith in our community.

My mission is simple: to keep the doors open, the lights on, the Gospel proclaimed, and the spirit of welcome alive. As Willie Nelson said on reopening day in 2006, "Once you enter, you are a member." That spirit continues to guide everything we do at Abbott Methodist Church. My prayer is that every person who walks through our doors, listens to a podcast, visits our website, or joins us online experiences the peace, love, and presence of God.

In His Holy Name

Pastor Stephen L Girsh Sr