Stephanie Midthun

Stephanie Midthun

Community Relations Director

Stephanie has more than 25 years of experience as a music director for various churches and schools and is a pianist, singer, songwriter and recording artist. She also is a chaplain and mentor to the girls at Courage House where she serves as the organization’s creative director.

Moved to be a voice for those without, Stephanie wrote the powerful song “Believe in Me” and then gathered award-winning local bands with the same heart to write music to benefit Courage House. Led by Stephanie’s efforts, the “Believe in Me” album was released in 2009, and with numerous benefit concerts with partner bands, this project helped raise nearly $3 million for Courage Houses in Northern California, Tanzania and Hawaii.

Stephanie created the Courage Worldwide Partner Artist Program, and now nationally acclaimed artists Jars of Clay, Tenth Avenue North, Sara Groves, Jeff Deyo, Johny Diaz and more are donating songs for “Come Back Home,” the next CD to benefit Courage House, produced by Phillip Larue of Tenth Ave North. The title song, “Come Back Home,” was inspired by the poetry and personal stories of the girls at Courage House and was co-written by Phillip Larue and The REEL. This CD will be released in 2013 (pre-release at Response).

In addition, Stephanie and her two sisters have recorded five CDs, and Stephanie has managed other benefit CD projects, including a children’s album, “Soar,” with more than 200 voices, and an album called “He Knows my Name,” for street children in Kenya.

Stephanie has a B.A. in music education from Cal State Fullerton and a 2-year diploma from Lutheran Bible Institute. She has been married for nearly 25 years to Pastor Joel Midthun. They have 3 sons and live in Elk Grove, Calif.