Ruffin Stepp joined Venice Presbyterian Church in June 2007 as Associate Pastor.  Ruffin’s mission in life is to empower Christians to authentically walk with our savior Jesus Christ within the bounds of Christian community, and then to carry that message of Good News to the world.  He is passionate about his relationship with Jesus, his family, and the Miami Dolphins.  Ruffin enlisted in the United States Marine Corps for six years, serving in the Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a major in Organizational Communications and a minor in Business Administration.  He received his Master’s of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. and concurrently served an internship as designated pastor of Faith United Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles.  Ruffin is happily married to Melanie, his wife of 13 years.  They are the parents of Kathryn (age 5) and William (age 3).