Chaplain Steven Lance holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English as a second-generation graduate of the Lutheran school, Upsala College, and received his Ministerial Ordination from the Universal Life Church, Newark, New Jersey.

• Officiating at memorial services for members of the Sons of the American Legion. (2018-Present)

• Currently serving in his third consecutive term as the Head Chaplain for the Sons of the American Legion in the County of Ocean, New Jersey. (2019-Present)

• Concurrently serving in his fifth consecutive term at the local level as Chaplain for the Sons of the American Legion Squadron, American Legion Brick Memorial Post 348, Brick, New Jersey. (2018-Present)

• As Baptized Catholic, began his service to the Roman Catholic Church as an Usher for the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass led by Reverend G. Scott Shaffer at St. Aloysius Church in Jackson, New Jersey. (2009-2012)

• CPR and AED certified through the church, also functioned as the Mass’ first responder.

(2009-2012)

• Responsible for coordination of a visit to St. Aloysius by the Most Rev. John Mortimer Fourette Smith, the then ninth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey. (2010)

• “Knighted” in the Third Degree in the Knights of Columbus, at the Rev. Mitchell J. Cetkowski Council #6201 in Jackson, New Jersey. (2010)

• Received his initial training and began service as a Lector under the guidance of Msgr. G. Michael Schleupner at St. Francis de Sales, Abingdon, Maryland. (2012)

• Joined the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Havre de Grace, Maryland as a Lector. (2012)

• Cloaked in a white linen Alb tied at his waist with a cincture, led the solemn Friday evening Stations of the Cross during Lent at Havre de Grace’s, St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church. (2012-2014)

• Concurrently named by Lead Pastor, Jess Bousa, as “The Voice of Restore Church” lending his rich baritone voice to pre-recorded videos screened during church services at the Havre de Grace non-denominational bible-based parish. (2012-2014)

• Lector at the Grace Lutheran Church in downtown Freehold, New Jersey (Steven’s hometown). (2015)

• Provided counseling, fellowship, and friendship to one dozen homeless men enrolled in an outreach program to feed and house homeless men through the Grace Lutheran Church community outreach program. (2015-2017)

• On two occasions, filled in at the Grace Lutheran Church as Lay Pastor for Reverend Thomas O’Brien who was unable to serve during an extended illness. Chaplain Lance officiated at the 8:30 a.m. services, read the Gospel, and delivered original sermons (edited with the help of Pastor O’Brien, of course). (2017)

• Lector, at the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lakewood, New Jersey under the guidance of Pastor James H. McKinley. (2018-Present)

• Sunday School Confirmation Class Teacher, Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lakewood, New Jersey. (2019)

• For now, until the pandemic settles down a little more, Chaplain Lance makes it a point to attend virtual services at Immanuel EV. Lutheran Church, immediately followed by a virtual mass at his former St. Aloysius home church in Jackson, where his religious journey began.