Steve came to faith in 1970 while attending a Christian Youth Camp in Ellon. Undoubtedly, as a result of this, Steve saw the spiritual value of such camps and was wholehearted in his support, serving the Lord in every possible capacity, ranging through being a member of camp committee for many years, Bible Teacher, “commie”, leader and chief bottle washer in the kitchen.
By his own admission, the second best decision that Steve ever made was to marry Karen (née Cameron) on 13th August 1993 at Hebron Hall, Aberdeen. This in itself did not go without event. Not being blessed with the best of memories, on the morning of their marriage Steve remembered that he had not collected the marriage certificate from the Registration Office in Aberdeen. He hurriedly went there to be met at the desk by a lady saying, “Ah, Mr. Rankin, we were expecting you!”
The Lord blessed Steve and Karen with five children: Mark, Faith, Abi, Joel and Joanna, and it was a great joy to them when all came to faith in their early years. Although becoming more common now, it was relatively ground-breaking then that Steve and Karen chose to homeschool their children all the way from primary through secondary school age.
It was Steve and Karen’s great joy that their family enlarged further when first of all Faith married James, then Mark married Rebecca, and, subsequent to that, when they became the proud grandparents of Jude, Ezra, Micah (James and Faith) and Harold (Mark and Rebecca). Steve would have been overjoyed by the fact that his three remaining children will all be married “in the Lord” by the end of this year (2026).
Not only did Steve love the Lord, his wife, and his family, but also the people of the Lord, and it is no exaggeration to say that over the course of their married lives together they not only fed many, many people but also opened their home for the saints to stay in for either days or weeks. Hospitality, as he mentioned many times from the “platform”, was not only biblical but also practised within the family home.
Steve attended Inverurie Gospel Hall throughout his entire life, the last thirty-five years of which in the capacity of a much loved and respected elder. This was a ministry that Steve took very seriously, ensuring that the “flock” were well taught but also having such a winsome disposition that the saints were at ease to ask him for biblical counsel whenever the need arose. His ministry was wider than his local church and youth camps, and his contributions to UtG’s “Talking Truth” roundtable discussion series were greatly valued by his fellow contributors and also, no doubt, by all who have engaged with them.
Having been blessed with a good mind, Steve chose a career in dentistry for which he studied at Dundee University. On graduating he began his career at Dyce for a few years, and thereafter at Ellon Road, Bridge of Don. He undoubtedly was an exceptional dentist but also, having a “captive audience”, would on a daily basis bear testimony to the Lord whom he loved, often using apologetics as a means of initiating a discussion.
It was on the morning of 29th January 2025 that Steve, while walking to work, found himself to be in a completely different location when he was suddenly called home to be with his Lord. Steve’s was a life well lived for the glory of God and he was loved and respected by so many. This was made manifest to the family when a few days later on 1st February, a thanksgiving service was held for Steve at Deeside Christian Fellowship, where well in excess of five hundred people were in attendance.
The family miss Steve greatly but gain great comfort from the fact that he is with his Lord.
