Steve Abbe

01/27/2021 UPDATE: you can stream the service at http://https://xroads.online.church .  They will begin at 1 PM with pre service video.  You can also register online to skip the registration at the gate or if you plan to attend via live stream. Registry for Steve Abbe .

UPDATE (SERVICE INFORMATION): The family of Steve Abbe would like to invite you to join us for a celebration and worship service on Sunday, January 31, at 2 pm, McLane Stadium .  You will enter the stadium at Entrance B. When you enter the stadium with personal belongings you must have a clear bag with the contents in the bag.  Based on the weather conditions that day, you may bring bottled water, blankets, gloves, hats, and/or coats.  You are welcome to wear a mask to help maintain the safest environment as possible. We also ask that everyone show respect in maintaining social distancing as you choose your seating on the home side of the stadium. Feel free to sit together as families, but maintain adequate space between you and the next family unit. There will also be hand sanitizing stations available throughout the concourse area.  Thank you for all of your prayers and the love and support you have shown through texts, FB posts and comments, as well as card and letters in the mail. We have loved reading the stories of the impact Steve has had on your life to move closer in your walk and relationship with Jesus.  Help us continue to keep that legacy going.  #hisplanmyplan

Online streaming details and site will be posted as soon as secured.

You are invited to be a part of the Legacy to reach more people for Christ by making a donation to a Legacy Fund created in Steve’s memory.  The Legacy Fund will allow you to invest in the missional endeavors of Crossroads Fellowship Church.  We will also establish a Kidz Kamp Scholarship Fund using a percentage of Legacy Funds donated.  This will allow any child who needs financial help to still be able to have a camp experience.  Thank you for allowing the generosity of your heart to make a difference.
Go to the following link and select Steve Abbe Legacy https://xroads.churchcenter.com/giving

OBITUARY:

Steve would never be considered conventional or traditional.  He always thought outside the box and loved pushing the limits to make things happen.  In fact, we came to refer to him as an anomaly. What you might call “Abbenormal.”  So, it is only fitting that his obituary follow the same trend – “this ain’t your momma’s obit.”

If you like the facts and want the history, here you go.  If you want to skip down to the good stuff, just keep scrolling.

THE FACTS:

Steve was born July 22, 1961, in San Antonio, Texas to Dewey Clarence Abbe and June Darlene Carpenter Abbe.  He died on January 9, 2021, in Waco, Texas.

Steve was preceded in death by his father Dewey Abbe and sister Dana Abbe.  He is survived by his mother Darlene Abbe; wife Cyndi Branan Abbe; daughter Emily and son-in-law Daniel Arlitt and their sons Troy and Teague and daughter Harper; daughter Erin and son-in-law Austin Montgomery and their children Jacks and Leighton; brother Rick Abbe and wife Suzanne; and sister Darla Cross and husband Bryan. Steve loved all his aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, dear friends, and church family, all of which he considered family.

Steve grew up in Robinson on Linnett Street, proudly graduating from Robinson High School.  He quickly adopted the “Rockets never quit” mentality as a life motto, making sure his two daughters lived by that same idea, “Abbes never quit.” After high school, he attended Baylor University studying education and playing football for the Bears back in the days of the Southwest Conference.  Steve attended Highland Baptist Church most of his life, making a decision to follow Christ at a young age.  Steve also surrendered to full-time Christian ministry as a high school student just down the road at Latham Springs Camp and Retreat Center.  Steve met Cyndi in 1983 and a whirlwind romance began. They dated only eight months, but the Jeep won over Cyndi’s heart and there was no turning back.  Steve married the love of his life on August 18, 1984, at First Baptist Church Rosenberg.

Steve was a successful salesman in their early marriage, traveling around Texas for the business he started called, The Sports Promotions Company.  After tragedy struck from a car accident while traveling, Steve changed paths and began working at First Baptist Church Waco in the recreation department.   A special mentor at FBC Waco reminded Steve of the calling on his life to serve in ministry.  When Cyndi found a teaching job in Grapevine, Texas, Steve began seminary studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He also began working at Birdville Baptist Church in Haltom City, Texas.  Steve filled many roles at Birdville from recreation director, college minister, and eventually Associate Pastor.  He served that community tirelessly for 10 years and established many lifelong friendships still strong today.

During that time, Emily Ann was born on April 22, 1988.  She was the apple of Steve’s eye.  Erin Alyse was born a few years later on September 4, 1992.  She was the mischievous, fireball that kept Steve on his toes.   His family was complete and life was trucking along.

Then God moved in a big way. Although Steve didn’t want to leave his Texas roots, he and Cyndi chose obedience and in 1993 they accepted a call to the First Baptist Church of Wheaton, Maryland.  He and a ministry partner from Birdville transitioned this church back to a vibrant, healthy, and growing church. Again, Steve jumped in with both feet and began loving and serving the people in this new community.  Steve had a magnetic personality and people listened to what he had to say.  He always pointed people to a closer relationship with Christ.  He lived that and wanted it for everyone he encountered.

Steve served his community, but he also served his family.  He loved his wife, and she was his partner in ministry.  He also loved his girls and was a hands-on dad who loved being actively involved in their sports, activities, and friendships. During their time in Maryland, God did a huge transformational work in Steve and Cyndi.  After a trip to Africa to minister to missionaries in the field, Steve heard God speak a calling on his life to return to Texas and reach family and friends with the love of Jesus. And so once again, in obedience, he led his family to a difficult decision to leave a place they had come to call home to return to Texas.  God wanted to use Steve and Cyndi’s gifts to start and co-pastor together a church back in his hometown of Waco.

They took this leap of faith and Crossroads Fellowship Church was born in 2003.  Steve impacted people for Christ in every restaurant, grocery store, hospital, or sporting event he attended.  Steve never compartmentalized his life.  He lived his life as a follower of Jesus and no matter where you might encounter him, that never wavered. Steve led Crossroads Fellowship through many temporary locations, several permanent ones, and finally to their current place of worship in Woodway.

As their children left home (sort of), Steve continued to follow his calling to serve his church family and community.  He volunteered as the Chaplain at the Lorena Police Department.  He performed weddings and funerals, counseled people, and preached so many sermons we can’t count them.  However, Steve found his true joy when grandchildren came into his life, first with Troy and Teague, then Jacks, Harper, and Leighton.  Gramps loved his grandchildren, rarely told them no, and always had on hand their favorite drink, pouch, or treat.

THE GOOD STUFF:

The facts of Steve’s life are important.  They are part of what molded and shaped him over the years. But there is more to his story than just the facts.  This part of his obituary is an attempt to give you a clear understanding of the driving force behind the man you knew or have read about.

Steve never did anything halfway.  It was all or nothing.  If you were his friend, played sports, hunted, did ministry, or just listened to a sermon, an impact was made.  It was the unique way God used him. Steve always said he was never the brightest or the fastest or the strongest, but you couldn’t outdo his heart. And that became his battle and his battle cry.  I don’t think there was a time that Steve wasn’t battling some medical issue.  From diabetes, to arthritic pain, to hip and shoulder issues, to heart stents to kidney failure to dialysis.  Through it all, he never complained.  Every single day was still an opportunity to do God’s work.

All hope seemed lost in 2010 when his kidney failed. But this became a pivotal moment for Steve’s faith. He received a kidney transplant from his sister, Darla, in 2012 and never took for granted the gift he was given.  He fought even harder to share the love of Christ. We believe God gave us a miracle in 2012.  That miracle allowed Steve to perform the wedding ceremonies of both his daughters and to see and love on all five of his grandchildren.  It also allowed him to spend eight more years bringing people to an understanding of the love of Jesus Christ. We believe not only did God give a miracle of a kidney in 2012, but we also believe every person who came to Christ in those next eight years were part of the miracle. It wasn’t just one miracle, it was hundreds and hundreds of miracles over eight years.

In November of 2020, Steve was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Someone with seven stents in his heart, diabetes, and an immune suppressed body to protect the kidney would have a hard time fighting not just one cancer, but two, one of which had metastasized to his lungs.

We believe in miracles and prayed with an army of prayer warriors for a miracle. Steve fought hard and never once asked for pain medication. Even in his last days, he continued with that tough-guy attitude of “pain don’t hurt.”  His focus was to be aware of whatever opportunity might come his way in conversations with doctors, nurses, and whoever else might cross his path on this part of his journey. We believe God gave us a miracle in 2012. But we also believe every person who comes to Christ through Steve’s legacy will be the miracles that follow.  This is what an army of prayer warriors were praying for.  God did respond to our prayers.  As Steve told us, His plan will be my plan.  #hisplanmyplan

Steve lived his life on this earth with one purpose - to tell people about the amazing grace and love of Jesus.  He didn’t just tell this story, he lived it out every day.  Jesus came to this earth as a baby, miraculously born as a gift from God.  Jesus then walked this earth in ministry for three years to tell us why He came.  We are sinners in need of a Savior. Jesus came to be our Savior and to take the punishment for our sin. He suffered a horrific death on a cross, died, and three days later, rose again. He defeated death.  We deserve death, but Jesus gave us victory over death. He also gave us forgiveness and freedom from our sin and the invitation to enter into a personal relationship with Him.  Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”  This is why Steve was not afraid to die.  He accepted the gift Jesus offered and Steve now lives.

STEVE DIDN’T DIE ON JANUARY 9, 2021.  STEVE IS MORE ALIVE TODAY THAN EVER.

His obedience to take risks and follow Christ first, sometimes without all the puzzle pieces in place, has blessed thousands and thousands of people.  Steve did not have surface relationships.  He asked the hard questions, he pushed people to be their best selves.  He walked people through their hardest valleys and cheered them on their highest mountaintops.  Steve began a LEGACY that will live on through the people he impacted.  And he wants all of us to continue the work he started. He would tell you his life verse, Psalm 84:11, served him well. This is how he would quote it: “For God is our light and protector.  He gives us grace and glory.  No good thing does he withhold from those who walk along his path.”

Though Steve may have passed from his earthly home, we smile thinking that he has just begun truly living with his Lord and Savior in Heaven.