Faces of Friendship: Col. Steve Martin Serves God and Country
A decorated United States Air Force Colonel, Steve Martin keeps a plaque on his desk given to him by his grandmother with his life verses:
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Whether Steve was serving in Afghanistan following the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 or leading training exercises across the globe, he said, “I’ve found these verses to be very, very true in my life. The Lord has always brought me back where I need to be. He has always sought me in spite of my faults.”
Servant Leadership in the Military
Col. Martin retired in 2013 after 33 years with the Air Force. Military service wasn’t always his plan, however – he was set on a career in business and was attending college with that goal in mind. But through the suggestion of his mom’s boss, he decided to join the NC Air National Guard at the age of 19 along with several of his friends.
“I thought it’d be practical experience, resume building,” Steve said of his military training, still determined to work in the corporate world. He finished his business degree from Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC, in 1982. He was growing fonder of his military career, however, and was hired on full time in 1983. While still in college, he began his service as airman basic (E1 pay grade – the lowest ranking), but worked his way up through officer training to his eventual promotion of colonel in 2007.
“There’s not a single dirty job I didn’t have to do as enlisted – KP (kitchen patrol) and more ‘low-dignity’ jobs,” said Col. Martin. “But as a senior officer who gave orders to others, it helped as a leader because I had done those tough jobs too.”
While his duties took him to many places – Ecuador, Panama, Bolivia, Kuwait, Israel, France, Germany, England, Iceland, Moldova, Afghanistan, and more – his assigned base has been Charlotte or Raleigh for most of his career. And that suited the Gaston County, NC, native just fine. His major responsibilities included management, development, and execution of state operations for federal or state emergencies, man-made or natural disasters, and federal military mobilizations.
Israel in early 1990s
These skills were crucial when Steve’s unit was called by civilian staff to help when a domestic plane, USAir flight 1016, crashed near Charlotte, NC, in July of 1994. Due to thunderstorms, the plane crashed through trees and into a residential area about a half a mile from the runway.
He describes that time as the “best and worst days” of his career. His training kicked into high gear as he supervised the Air National Guard unit’s recovery efforts – they helped process the lost passengers and preserve details of the crash site. Fourteen souls were injured, and 37 were killed in the crash. Then-Captain Martin was physically and emotionally exhausted, relying on his faith to help him process the tragedy he had witnessed. The Guard’s methods used set the stage for future National Transportation Safety Board training around the nation. Later in his career, Col. Martin developed the “Force Packaging Model” which was adopted by the National Emergency Management Association as the “model” for National Guard Defense Support to Civil Authorities.
He looks at his career as a time of helping others, not just in emergency situations, but within his unit. “The military can be calm, then 15 minutes later, chaos,” he said. In his final years of service, he used his car time to specifically pray for the lives he’d reach. “Decisions I made impacted people’s lives and careers. I needed to have the mind of Christ to help and influence people.”
Serving Others in the Local Church
Steve was raised in a Christian home and has always valued his faith and family. “Any success I’ve had is not because of me, but because of the Lord,” said Steve, who was saved and baptized at the age of nine.
He and his wife Deborah are active members at Friendship. At his wife’s suggestion, they began the Yellow Ribbon Ministries to reach out to active service members, veterans, and military family members. They publish a monthly newsletter, which reaches 250+ subscribers (email or hardcopy), and hold fellowship gatherings about twice a year. The newsletter features what Steve calls “military parables” – history with a biblical lesson, new military policies, and other items of interest to military families. You can also find the newsletter at the church’s welcome center desk. Steve noted that Friendship is very supportive of veterans, and features the color guard and recognition of service members on patriotic holidays.
Steve and Deborah – Yellow Ribbon Ministries
One of Steve’s favorite church ministries is the nursing home ministry. For more than eight years, he and Deborah have joined a handful of other members to bring music and cheer to nursing home residents a few times a month. His fellow musicians have become some of his closest friends.
“This is one of the most enjoyable ministries I’ve ever done,” said Steve, who plays the guitar and sings. Others also sing and play the keyboard, bass, mandolin, and harmonica. “The residents really appreciate you being there. They recognize an old hymn and start singing along. We feel rejuvenated when we leave.”
In addition to the above ministries, Steve is membership chairman of the North Raleigh Gideons Camp (The Gideons International), his wife is a long-time church pianist, and they both sing in choir and are assisting a church plant in Chapel Hill on a short-term basis.
Family Life – Leaving a Legacy for His Loved Ones
Steve is a prolific reader – everything from novels to Christian living to biographies and magazines – but he’s recently added a new aspect to his reading: journaling. Steve has three grown children and two grandchildren, and he’s intent on leaving that legacy of faith for them.
“Often I’ll read something and think, ‘That’s neat,’ and then it’s gone,” said Steve. He decided to start taking the time to hand write passages from books he’s read into a journal, almost daily. “If I’ve taken the time to hand write it, it’s time consuming, so my family knows it’s important. For me, it’s part of my legacy.” He noted the same holds true for his Bible, which is marked up with meaningful passages and sermon notes.
In addition to retired colonel, musician, family man, and church member, Steve is also an author. In 2013, he released, “Crosstell: Military Parables for Victorious Living.” (Find out more at FontLife Publications.) The book features short stories, historical accounts, military lessons, and spiritual applications for the Christian life.
In his retirement, Steve continues to read, travel, spend time with his grandkids, and minister to church members one-on-one. He is thankful for how the Lord has directed his path throughout his life. You’ll have to ask him how a seat mix-up and a flight delay led to him meeting his wife, Deborah. It’s a story worth hearing.
Written by Erica Baldwin, FBC member