Meet Steve Coiro, Parkside's Facilities Manager
What Makes a House a Home?
A church is often considered to be "God's house," and people often talk about their search for a "church home." So what does it take to make Parkside's 144,000 square foot "house" feel like a
"home?" For Parkside's facilities manager, Steve Coiro, it's all about being a family. "My vision for our department is to be a close knit family and one that glorifies God," explains Steve, who has been at Parkside for just over a year. "People might look at our department and think, 'Well, they clean toilets and set up tables,' but there is so much ministry going on that they don't always see."
Indeed, someone from Steve's team is often the first person that a visitor to Parkside may encounter. "We're here as close to 24 hours a day as possible. We have one guy that shows up at 5:30 in the morning and a couple of guys that stay until 10:00 at night," says Steve. "So all those hours, there are people walking through [Parkside's] doors and we're here to minister to their needs. Whether someone is looking for a pastor, or comes in crying, we strive to maintain a servant's attitude and we'll take time off from our jobs to bring these people wherever they need to be. Sometimes it's a matter of just talking to us and we'll pray with them."
A True Caretaker
Steve is no stranger to caring for others. As an aviation electrician for four years in the United States Navy, Steve learned to care for the safety of the pilots flying his aircraft. "There were times when the plane was ready to takeoff and something broke," Steve recalls. "With aircraft, you can't just put a Band-Aid on something and tell them, 'I'll take care of it when you get back.' You want them to be safe up there." That concern for others serves as the foundation upon which Steve builds his department's mission. "Turning nuts and bolts is one part of the job, but the most important part of working for Parkside is that you're caring for the whole person instead of just the facilities," explains Steve. "We want to be concerned with everything about a person. To go deeper than just, 'Hi, how's it going?' To ask instead, 'How's that thing that I've benn praying about?'"
A Little Background Music, Please
But supporting those around him is where Steve feels most comfortable. "I really don't have a desire for this interview," laughs Steve. "I feel like the quiet orchestra leader conducting the background music."
And being in the background is something that Steve and his team of 5 full-time and 8 part-time staff members do extremely well. Under the guidance of Facilities Director, Mike Bowerman, Steve and his team care for both the Bainbridge and Green campuses, the newly acquired VFW building, seven missionary houses, and a fleet of 12 vehicles. Steve's efforts are bolstered by a crew of faithful volunteers who come in every Friday to help polish and shine the woodwork in the Bainbridge campus auditorium. "It's been really great to get to know them because they really have a servant's heart and go above and beyond where they don't have to," offers Steve.
Making Events Special
In addition to their routine responsibilities, the facilities team must also be on hand for the numerous special events that are held at Parkside. "This is a very busy church," notes Steve "Seems like every Friday and Saturday there's something going on." From weddings to ministry meetings to large special events like the Open House, Pastor's Conference, Truth For Life Weekend, and the Christmas and Easter concerts, the facilities team is deployed throughout the church setting up stages, shelters, inflatables for kids, tables and even moving walls to accommodate seating for extra guests. Steve explains that "there's just piles and piles of work that is done by our guys and it's never seen. But by the end of a program or performance, if people say, "Wow, that was really nice," we know we've served them well and all to the glory of God."
For more information about volunteering for the facilities crew, please contact Steve Coiro at sjcoiro@parksidechurch.com.
Text and photos by Julie Hahn
