At Pure Encouragement, our mission is to come alongside Competitors for Christ to strengthen and encourage them to compete with excellence and make an eternal impact.

In the New Testament, the word most often translated as "encouragement" is "parakalein." This term comes from two Greek words: "para" meaning "alongside of" and "kaleo" meaning "to call.” A Parakletos is therefore an Encourager, one who puts courage into the fainthearted, strength into the weak, life into the downtrodden, confidence into the insecure, and steadfastness into every warrior in the face of great trial.

We believe this is our role in the Body of Christ. We are the Pure Encouragers of the sports community on a mission to strengthen every Competitor for Christ to intimacy with Jesus, strong confidence, servant leadership, excellent performance, and eternal impact.  

In September 2021, the Lord called the Steffes family to follow Him into the unknown. After much prayer, Gary and his wife Michelle stepped out in faith knowing the Lord's call was to be "in ministry."

The Lord began to open doors in the sports world with competitors, teams, and universities around the country. Momentum grew. The Inside Out Confidence message spread. Journey groups started.

The Pure Encouragement ministry officially started on May 3, 2022. Today, the ministry gets the privilege to come alongside Competitors for Christ at all levels and in multiple sports around the world. 

Gary's passion is to encourage and help others to an intimate, abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. He comes alongside coaches, athletes, and leaders around the world to strengthen and encourage them in Confidence, Leadership, and Soul Care. He has written several books including The Mental Side and 30 Day Identity Challenge, and hosts the Pure Encouragement Podcast.

He and his wife, Michelle, live in Florida and have three children.