Stephen Philip Sumrall

Stephen “Steve” Sumrall was born on June 27, 1950 in South Bend, IN and entered into his heavenly home on January 6, 2026 surrounded by his family. Stephen fought a courageous faith-filled battle with a very rare, incurable interstitial lung disease.

Pastor Steve is survived by his wife of 47 years, Diane, their 5 children - Rachelle (Josh) Page-Wood, Leslie Anne (Bradley) Skeens, Stephen Charles Sumrall, Arielle (Alex) Gonzalez, and Alexandra (Chad) Fetke. He was a beloved Papa of 10 grandchildren, Aidan, Liam, Ian Michael, Jakway, Ella Grace, Henry, Shepard, Gabriel, and Isabel with number 10 arriving this spring.

Pastor Steve is the second son of Dr. Lester and Louise Sumrall. The Sumrall’s were a missionary family who traveled the world together sharing the good news of the gospel to a lost and hurting world. At a very young age, Steve had a heart for missions. His calling to share the message of Jesus through humanitarian aid led him to found Feeding the Nations. Together with partners all over the world, FTN has been able to provide relief and aid to over 75 nations and thousands of people across the globe.

Pastor Steve is the Founding Pastor of Christ Chapel Church and founder and president of Provident Ministries and Feeding The Nations. This local body of believers have loved and supported Pastor through prayer, words of encouragement, and the gift of joined faith every step of the way. Diane and family are so thankful for the Christ Chapel Family and Provident Network. Pastor Steve was known and loved for his kindness, generosity, humility, love of his wife and family, sense of humor, love of coffee, love of the Word of God, and ultimately, his deep love of his savior, Jesus Christ. He has been a living example of a true disciple (James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”) …faithful until the end.

Funeral services for Pastor Steve will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday, January 12, 2026 at Christ Chapel Church, 3402 Locust Road, South Bend, IN.  Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend.  Friends may visit with the family beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Monday at the church.  Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Pastor Stephen Sumrall may be donated to Feeding The Nations, P.O. Box 2438, South Bend, IN  46680.  Online condolences may be offered to Pastor Steve’s family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.