Signs Publishing’s latest book God of the gaps invites readers into spiritual breakthroughs witnessed by a senior chaplain at the Sydney Adventist Hospital (San) during times of pain and high emotion. Authored by Pastor Stenoy (Steve) Stephenson, director of Mission Integration at Adventist HealthCare, the book shares 25 true stories from his time as a San chaplain and reflections on God and spirituality.
“In my work at the San, I have the privilege of ministering to people during times of crisis, illness, suffering and grief,” he said. “Over and over again, I have been struck by the experiences people have with God in these times.”
The book was launched during South Pacific for Christ at Watson Park, Brisbane, Queensland. While Pastor Stephenson was unable to attend, Adventist HealthCare CEO Brett Goods and his wife Denise were there to launch the book and provide attendees with a copy. Mrs Goods was the editor who first read the volume.
“This book is important as it illustrates the power of chaplaincy—the ministry of presence (relational ministry)—meeting people where they are and responding to their most pressing and immediate needs,” said Mr Goods. “This ministry is woven into the San countless times every week, month, and year (for more than 123 years).”
After each story he shares, Pastor Stephenson shares his own spiritual reflections brough up by the experience, in the hope he can “encourage [the reader’s] faith too”.
“These stories are a legacy of mission at the San: a legacy of care, expertise, compassion, resilience and discipleship,” Pastor Stephenson writes in the book’s introduction. “They illustrate that the San is more than a healthcare institution; it is a place where God makes Himself known.”
“Having read God of the Gaps—very closely—I have a renewed appreciation for the role of chaplains and their ministry to people going through some of the most difficult of human experiences,” said Nathan Brown, Signs Publishing book editor. “Although brief, many of these are stories of heavy, heartbreaking and all-too-human experience, but the point of the book is that God is present even there.”
“When we turn up in the lives of others, we will often find God already there,” he said.
God of the gaps is available from Adventist Book Centre bookshops in Australia and New Zealand or online.
