Stevens L. Nolin

Reverend Stevens L. Nolin, 94, of New Brockton, Al., passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord on October 15, 2021. He was at home, surrounded by loving family who rejoiced to see him enter in joyous victory to the eternal kingdom, where he is now whole and strong and forever home with God. He was buried at Mt. Zion Church cemetery in a graveside service on October 17.

He was born in 1927 in Graceville, Fl., to Hulon and Ethel Nolin. He finished his schooling early so that he could enter the Army near the end of WWII.  He went to parachute training in Fort Benning, GA, assigned to the 188th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and he was part of the first forces in Japan at the end of the war. He came back home, and under the influence of his Godly aunt, Rhoda Kirkland, he gave his life to the Lord, and soon answered God’s call to ministry and missions. At Southeastern University he met and later married Mary Miller, of Sarasota, FL. on June 1, 1952.  

He and his bride soon sailed on the famed Queen Elizabeth II, arriving five weeks later in Singapore, where he ministered for 14 years. He established a church that remains vibrant and active to this day. Numerous pastors, missionaries, and churches came out of years of ministry, including among Aboriginal tribes in present-day Malaysia.

He and Mary returned to his home in south Alabama for the further education of their children, and he soon stepped in to pastor and further establish New Brockton First Assembly of God Church that grew to minister to people throughout the Wiregrass. Many looked to him as their pastor and spiritual father and said those years were the most instrumental years of their lives in molding them into men and women of God who could weather the storms of life.

He not only built spiritual foundations, but he put his years of experience as a hardworking farm boy to good use, becoming known around town as the preacher in overalls for his long hours building the new church and renovating a large, rundown old school building for ministry that a local businessman, Johnny B. Maddox, gave him, inspired by his faithful hard work in building both lives and church buildings in the community.

In his later retirement years, he and his wife again responded to God’s leading, moving to Hong Kong and establishing a church named Lighthouse that indeed became a light to people of many nations. Many churches, pastors, missionaries and believers were established in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and China.

Two hallmarks of his life from early till his homegoing were these—he was steadfast and faithful as husband and father, and he gave himself to things that he believed count for eternity—preaching the Word, laying spiritual foundations, making disciples, shepherding many.

He is survived by Mary Miller Nolin, his wife of 69 years, and his children, Rebecca (Keith) Freitag of Pulaski, TN, Jennifer Nolin of Hong Kong, and Philip (Angie) Nolin of New Brockton, AL. His many spiritual children around the world still call him Dad Nolin.

Dad fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. He has received the crown of righteousness from the Lord, the righteous Judge. All praise to our God and Savior.

Any donations may be made to Great Commission Ministries, 19318 Highway 167, New Brockton, AL 36351.

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