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Speaker to bring
message of hope
to Eustis church
03/28/03
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
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EUSTIS Despite having being born with no arms and badly deformed legs, Jeff Steinberg has grabbed life and run with it, he says, because of a loving Christian couple and a relationship with God.
Steinberg considers himself a “Masterpiece In Progress” — which is the theme of his ministry of 30 years.
He and his wife Ellen will bring their special brand of encouragement and inspiration to First United Methodist Church of Eustis on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
“Sometimes we feel sorry for ourselves,” said Pastor David Gill of First United Methodist Church of Eustis. “This guy doesn’t feel sorry for himself — in fact, he says he’s God’s masterpiece.”
And Steinberg lives that way.
He is a singer, humorist, evangelist and writer, in addition to sharing his unique message of hope in word, humor and song.
“What I do is challenge people to put aside their excuses for why it is they think they are not good enough,” Steinberg said. “We all have things we call handicaps. But I’m not handicapped, because I have braces and prosthetic arms."
“If I can do what I do with what I have, than the person reading or listening to me can do more with what they have.”
Not only did Steinberg face physical limitations, his mother did not know about his disabilities until he was 17 months old. That’s because she did not see him until he was almost 2 years old. Steinberg lived in a children’s welfare shelter those years.
He also spent much of his early years in hospitals, including the Shriners’ Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, where he underwent orthopedic surgery, learned to walk with a brace and was fitted with his first prosthetic arm.
When he was 9, Steinberg was placed into The Good Shepherd Home for the Physically Handicapped in Allentown, Pa. where he lived until he was 19.
And when he was 10, he met the couple that changed his life.
“I met a Christian couple that kind of became my surrogate parents,” Steinberg said. “They invited me go church and camp meetings. They were singers, and I loved what they did. I got involved. Everything about them was full of excitement and joy. It was what I wanted.”
Though he was born Jewish, he said he converted to Christianity when he was 11 years old.
And he discovered the truth that has become the foundation of his life in Psalm 139:14: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Today, he views his disabilities as assets, not liabilities. And for more than 30 years, he has crisscrossed the globe, delivering his very special message.
He has traveled more than 2.5 million miles and annually puts 80,000 on his Lincoln Town Car, towing a trailer. He’s hoping to be able to buy a new one before his old one, which has logged 275,000 miles, can’t be driven any longer.
Steinberg believes that a real handicap is “anything that keeps me from being or becoming all that God created me to be.” He has shared his message with audiences around the country, performing for television, businesses, schools, churches, and hospitals.
“What a difference we can make in the life of people who have given up hope,” he said.
His wife Ellen is an important part of the Steinberg Ministry Team. She has a heart for the hurting women who have suffered abuse, the pain of divorce, financial distress, the trauma of physical disabilities, even the loss of a family member.
And she speaks to the needs of folks who are hurting, along with the concerns of single parent families.
She also speaks on the importance of prayer.
“I believe that a daily prayer relationship with God is not easy and cannot be reduced to a formula for success,” she said.
The Steinbergs moved to Orlando from Memphis a few years ago. Steinberg has also relied on God to help his relationship with his mother improve.
“Where things are now, Mom and I have a relationship that has healed considerably,” he said. “We see each other every couple of months.”
While his message will be inspirational, it will also include a patriotic song from his new CD, “This Land.”
Pastor David Gill said his church is looking forward to Steinberg’s arrival.
“He’s an inspiration,” Gill said. “I think it will touch people’s hearts.”
For more information about Sunday’s service call First United Methodist Church of Eustis at 357-5830.
For more information about Jeff Steinberg and the Steinberg Ministry Team, visit their website, www.tinygiant.com.
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