Our Staff
About Our Founders
Steve
and Susan were married on January 27, 1979 and have lived in Bentonville,
Arkansas since 1984. They have two sons, Seth 19, and Sheldon 17. Steve and
Susan founded Eagle Family Ministries, a non-denominational ministry, based on
God’s call and direction in 1996 after having served on two Southern Baptist
church staffs full-time for their entire married life. They are active members
of First Baptist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas where Steve served on staff for
12 years. Seven of those years were spent as Minister of Education and Youth,
the remaining years he served as Minister of Education and Administration. Steve
and Susan both work in the Studio 412 youth ministry at the church as well as with other
church ministries.
Steve was licensed to the Gospel ministry in 1978 and ordained in 1984. He has been involved in local church ministry since he was saved in August of 1975. He surrendered to serve in full-time ministry in December of 1975. He traveled with a gospel quartet during his college years as well as serving on a part-time church position. His first full-time position was at First Baptist Church in Gravette, Arkansas from 1979-1984. He and Susan have been at First Baptist Church in Bentonville since 1984. Steve has served in numerous positions of leadership in the Northwest Baptist Association, on the Convention Program Committee for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, and was part of the founding group to establish the Northwest Arkansas Marriage Policy Committee and worked extensively on that effort.
Steve and Susan have worked heavily in providing Biblical instruction in the areas of pre-marital coaching and family relationships. Steve has an Associate of Arts degree from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. He also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Education from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, is certified in Life Innovations Prepare and Enrich, and is certified in Couples Communication I and II by Interpersonal Communication Programs. Susan has a double major in Psychology and Sociology from Southwest Baptist University. Their education, years of experience, and burden to minister to marriages and families is what helped to prepare them to meet the many challenges and opportunities that God has placed before them in Eagle Family Ministries.
About Brad Franklin
Brad Franklin works with couples and families who
attend various seminars and retreats and has been in ministry for 15 years. Brad and
his wife Beth were married in 1999. They reside in Bentonville, AR and stay busy
raising three daughters.
Brad is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 15 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family therapy from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in Religious Education and is a licensed and ordained minister. Brad received a BA in Religious Education from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
In addition to serving as a conference speaker with Eagle Family Ministries he is the co-founder of Fresh Roots Family Counseling Center in Rogers, AR where he counsels with individuals, couples, and families.
Brad began his career in mental health in 1990 at the Psychiatric Institute of Fort Worth in Fort Worth, Texas working with addictions. He moved to Northwest Arkansas in 1993 to work as a family therapist with a medical practice. He has served on staff with First Baptist Church of Bentonville, Arkansas as a counselor and associate pastor, and with Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. He was the director and primary therapist of the New Hope Counseling Center in Springdale, Arkansas for five years.
Brad works with Steve and Susan in the seminars and retreats with the couples and family sessions. He is an excellent speaker and his counseling skills are a great asset to this ministry.
About Martha Vastine
In Memory of Martha Vastine
November 4, 1955 - September 9, 2007
We sadly announce that Martha unexpectedly passed away on September 9, 2007. Martha will be sorely missed as she has been a very special and close friend of The Tucker's since September 1986. She worked on staff with Steve Tucker the co-founder of EFM from 1986-1996 at First Baptist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas. She has worked with EFM as a children's conference leader since the inception of EFM in 1996. We don't know anyone who had a greater passion to reach and impact children than Martha. The picture you see to the left is Martha with her certified therapy dog Bailey. She and Bailey were a great team as Bailey was a part of some of Martha's work with children. Martha was not only a co-worker in ministry but a close friend to the Tucker's and a big part of the lives of Seth and Sheldon the Tucker's two sons.
Martha loved life and always had a way to make people laugh. Martha was a seven time survivor of cancer and was cancer free when she suddenly passed away. Martha never let her physical challenges stand in the way of her work and love for God. We know Martha is in heaven celebrating with Jesus and as Kim Norton said probably singing Karaoke with the Disciples, her legacy will live on in the lives of everyone she encountered and touched. It is hard to say goodbye, but until we see you in heaven.... Miss Martha WE MISS YOU......
The following Biography is left in memory of Martha:
Martha works with the children who attend our seminars or retreats and has been in ministry since 1976 working with children and youth. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, a Masters in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and a Masters of Science in Counseling from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Martha also served as Children's minister at First Baptist Church of Bentonville, AR for 10 years in addition to serving on other church staffs.
Martha is a Licensed Professional Counselor (L.P.C.) and in addition to working with Eagle Family Ministries, Martha works extensively with children, youth, and families and is a school based therapist with Ozark Guidance Center in Gentry, Arkansas.
“Cherish
Life” is the title track from Kim Norton’s new project and embodies her life and
journey. Kim’s experience, like most people, has had its fair share of rainy
days, deep valleys and unexpected turns. A personal diagnosis of Lupus and her
daughter’s struggle with a form of autism called Asperger’s Syndrome and mild
Cerebral Palsy have forced Kim to call upon her faith and strength in God her
Creator and in his Son, Jesus Christ. In turn, God has used those experiences
to deepen Kim’s well of creativity and ministry.
Born and raised in Northwest Arkansas Kim began singing at an early age in church with her mother and by the age of fifteen was singing professionally and doing concerts. By age 24 Kim was ministering throughout Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. She has had the privilege of singing and playing for notables like Secretary of State Colin Powell, Mr. Paul Harvey, Rev. Franklin Graham, Rev. E.V. Hill and the late Sam Walton. Along the way, Kim met and married Patrick Norton and together they ride herd over their two red & orange haired girls, Rebecca & Leah Katherine. Kim is also the founder of Kingdom Kidz. They reside in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Kim's website is www.kimnorton.com
About Roger Gibson
Roger Gibson is the speaker for our seminar First Comes Love Then Comes
Money. Roger has been in family ministry for over 9 years. He and his wife Kari
have been married 9 years and have two children. Roger has a Bachelor Of Science
in finance from California Baptist University in Riverside, California.
In addition to working with Eagle Family Ministries Roger is the Vice-President at the Smalley Relationship Center in Branson, Missouri. A ministry founded by author and speaker Gary Smalley.
Roger is the author of the book "First Comes Love Then Comes Money" published by New Leaf Press. He is a gifted speaker and has conducted radio and television interviews nationwide. He has been a featured guest on "Money Matters" with Larry Burkett and information from his book has been printed in many major newspapers and magazines. He is currently working on his second book.
His ministry experience and background in finance have given him a heart for couples and families in financial disarray. Roger is excited to share a seminar that is helping couples gain financial freedom from the stress, worry, and frustration that it causes in their marriage.