Steve Laudenslager (December 1, 1964-July 19, 2010)

Steve Laudenslager, a former CAP volunteer and employee, passed away in July after a sudden illness. He was 45.

Steve first came to CAP and the Jackson House as a long-term volunteer in 1998, serving in Housing and then later as a volunteer host for groups. He eventually became employed at CAP as a Volunteer Life Coordinator, overseeing volunteers in several houses.

Steve left CAP in 2002, but was back in 2004 as a short-term volunteer at WorkFest. The Kentucky bug bit again, and Steve ended up staying in Kentucky after WorkFest, working as the Group Host until 2007. In March 2010, CAP was blessed to have Steve serve with us again in the Groups program. He ended his volunteer time in July, just two weeks before his death.

When Steve wasn't serving eastern Kentucky, he was giving of himself to his other passion, his ministry in Texas and Mexico. Steve lived in the border town of Edinburg, Texas, and from 1994 until his death periodically served at a church in Texas and a sister church in Mexico. An ordained minister, Steve preached through an interpreter, and over the years taught Sunday school and participated in building programs and other outreach in Mexico. Steve had been in Texas and away from CAP for three years when he returned to WorkFest in March, but it didn't take long for him to fit right back in like he'd never left.

He came to help out at Camp AJ, but Steve ended up filling in as an assistant crew leader at WorkFest when another volunteer became ill.

For so many people, Steve represented everything Christian Appalachian Project aspires to be. For many who came to know Steve through the Groups program, he literally was the face of CAP, and we couldn't have had a better representative. For the many generations of volunteers who knew Steve as a housemate, fellow volunteer, or employee, Steve provided an unparalleled example of humble servitude. Whether he was in the kitchen or out on the jobsite, Steve would do whatever was needed. No matter what you asked of him, you could be assured he would respond with a "Not a problem, ma'am," or "Don't worry about it, sir." Christ was the center of Steve's life, which was obvious to anyone who knew him.

Steve's church family in Texas celebrated his life with a funeral in Edinburg, and members of his CAP family gathered at St. Paul's in McKee for a memorial service. We invite you to share your memories of Steve below. Steve is survived by an aunt in Pennsylvania, and we will send these messages to her.