God used the life and ministry of Stephen Manley profoundly in my life.
My summer traveling with Stephen was a dramatic turning point in my life and the two decades of ministering alongside him has been a rich blessing and joy.
After a battle with brain cancer, Stephen Manley died this week on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
In this small tribute to his life and death, I reflect on Stephen’s life and his desire to be known as a “Jesus Pusher.”
Mentioned in the episode:
- Watch an interview/Q&A Nathan did with Stephen
- 3 things Stephen Manley taught me that changed my life
- Read Nathan’s bio-sketch of Stephen Manley
- Listen/watch Nathan’s two favorite sermons by Stephen: Obsessed and The Unasked Question (the “blue” sermon)
Listen to or download the episode
Stephen Manley: The Jesus Pusher
Stephen began to write a series of short articles/devotionals in 2009 which he called “Jesus Pusher” (read the collection of Jesus Pushers on his website)—the name coming from the concept that some people “push” drugs or alcohol (with a desire to make others obsessed and addicted to it). Stephen had a desire to “push” Jesus to everyone around him so that they too would become obsessed and addicted with Jesus Christ.
The first “Jesus Pusher” Stephen Manley wrote is a great summary of his life.
I am a Jesus pusher!!!! I am an undaunted, courageous, stouthearted, bold, adventuresome, brave, fearless, gallant, heroic, lionhearted, unafraid, unflinching, valiant Jesus pusher. I cannot help myself. He is startling and He has overwhelmed me. I do not speak of ideas about Jesus or historical information concerning Him. I speak about Him. I am a Jesus pusher!!!! I am a mastered, possessed, addicted and obsessed Jesus pusher. There seems to be no way to quit. But who would want to?
He is present in every situation of my life. There is no conversation in which I do not feel His presence. He participates in all my recreation. He is everywhere I go. Who would want to be without Him? He is the protection for my life. He is the fragrance I constantly smell. He is the flow of my spiritual blood giving me life. He is my constant nutrition making me healthy. I cannot survive without Him. I am a Jesus pusher!!!!
I want to push Him on you. I want you to join me in this obsession. You do not have to work at it; it is not a discipline. It is as natural as breathing. Please let Him pull you to His heart.(1)
In reflecting back upon the life Stephen and his impact on me (and countless others), I think no better passage summarizes his life and death than Paul’s statement from Philippians 1:20–21, “… according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
FOOTNOTES
(1) Stephen Manley, The Jesus Pusher (Lebanon, TN: Cross Style Press, 2014), 1.
Photo Credits: Stephen and Delphine Manley
Join the Conversation
Question: Did Stephen have an impact on your life? I’d love to hear about it (leave a comment below the YouTube video).
Leave a response or ask a question and we will try to address it in a future episode.
The difficulty with podcasts is that they are one-sided—so each week I ask one question for you to participate in the conversation. Head over to the deeperChristian Facebook page to leave a comment and join in the conversation.
Subscribe to the Podcast
If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe on your favorite app.
Like what you hear? … Leave a rating & review
If you enjoyed the podcast, please take 30 seconds and rate it on your favorite app (and write a brief review if you can). This would be a tremendous blessing to help us get the word out to others who might be encouraged and blessed by it—apps use the rating and reviews in their searches to help other people find the podcast.
About NRJohnson
NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is the host of the Deeper Christian Podcast and has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the Gospel, and Studying God’s Word. He is a writer, teacher, and communicator who helps other believers understand and apply the Bible as they grow and mature in their faith—desiring that they gain greater intimacy with Christ, experience the victorious Christian life, and transform the world through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Read more about him here.
About the Deeper Christian Podcast
Many Christians feel frustrated because they don’t grow spiritually. The Deeper Christian Podcast helps equip Christians to understand the Word of God and cultivate a passionate love for Jesus that turns the world upside down.
Whether you want to learn how to study God’s Word, grow in your faith, cultivate a powerful and effective prayer life, share the Gospel boldly, deepen your intimacy with Jesus, live victoriously, or transform the world through the indwelling life of the Holy Spirit, the Deeper Christian Podcast with NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) will encourage and equip you to grow spiritually and live a Christ-centered life.
