Steven Woodrow Edwards

Steven Woodrow Edwards was born on January 4, 1971, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Frederick Wallace and Sandra Crenshaw Edwards. He grew up in Marion, Kentucky; Aiken, South Carolina; and Charlotte, North Carolina. He graduated from NC State University in 1996 with a Master’s in Electrical Engineering. With a heart for sharing the love of Jesus with international students, he began his lifelong calling of ministry to them at Virginia Tech with InterVarsity.

Steve loved Jesus and it was reflected in the quality of relationships he accumulated over his lifetime. After serving with InterVarsity and pursuing masters level graduate work in seminary, he joined Bridges International in 2007 and helped to ignite the South Asia Network effort. Steve was passionate about and loved students from this part of the world. Steve was a practitioner, a mobilizer/trainer, a researcher and an author. He was also a cheerleader of others that were gaining a heart to love and serve South Asian international students. Steve spent countless hours equipping Bridges staff and volunteers and preparing content that he would skillfully deliver in a variety of settings. It brought him so much joy when he'd see others step out in faith to share the good news of Jesus with others and then mentor them as they pursued a relationship with Jesus. He cared deeply about many things, but at the top of the list were the people of South Asia. He has left a legacy of disciples and ministry fruitfulness that will carry on for generations to come. Steve will smile so wide when he sees one day how the population of heaven will be impacted by his faithful service to Jesus Christ.

He'll be missed tremendously by many that were close to him or even those that knew him peripherally. He had an incredible way of caring so deeply for people in his life and when you were with him, you felt heard, known, and safe. He also had one of quickest wits and ability to make you laugh until you stomach hurt with his impeccable timing and humor.

Steve had some favorite hobbies that brought him joy as well. He loved his Mazda Miata, enjoyed sipping hot chai with friends, and bird watching. He was an expert thrift store shopper, loved traveling in South Asia and to other parts of the world where he had the opportunity to be a learner and appreciate different cultures and traditions. But what really brought light to his eyes was studying the Word of God. He loved reading the scriptures both privately and in small groups, studying it, making connections, doing additional research, and then listening to God speak to him and applying the principles he gleaned. He rested in the Word of God, treasured it, and it comforted him and reassured him in both his work and his relationships. When life brought challenging times and big or small decisions needed to be made, Steve would read the Word, pray and seek God's direction on which way to go.

As his life on earth was coming to a close, he remained an inspiration to so many in both joy and suffering and particularly modeled how to suffer well. He endured tremendous pain from disease but did so with hope of an eternal future with Jesus. On his homegoing day, he was commended by his Savior Jesus, "Well done Steve, my son, my good and faithful servant. Welcome Home!"

Steve is survived by his parents, Fred and Sandra Edwards; his sister, Lynn Badger, her husband, Brian, and their children Emily and Nathan.

A memorial service was held on Monday, March 27, 2023, at Providence Church in Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, please direct financial support in Steve’s memory to the Bridges South Asia Network, by using the link below, under 'Donations".

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