Leland Stephens

Leland has spent the last 25 years living on the move with his wife Jenniffer and their four daughters—as a Marine family, and later as missionaries.
With more than 20 moves across states, countries, and continents, the Stephens family has experienced firsthand the beauty and complexity of walking with Jesus as transitory people. That journey has deeply shaped Leland’s passion for helping others become rooted in God’s story through transitions of place and season.

After retiring from the United States Marine Corps and completing seminary, Leland and his family focused their ministry on military communities outside the continental United States—investing in church planting, Kingdom formation, and the cultivation of authentic community among military families and expats. He now serves full-time with The Tribal Family, where his work centers on consulting, content development, and starting communities that equip people to participate in the life of God and His story for the world.

Snapshot of Leland’s Role with the Tribal Family:

– Consulting with churches and ministry leaders to integrate the Tribal Family’s vision of discipling parent-priests to lead their families as their first and primary spiritual community
– Starting and resourcing formation communities rooted in the biblical narrative and oriented around everyday faithfulness
– Translating his doctoral research into accessible tools that help people understand and participate in the story God is telling
– Developing small group models, curriculum, and a podcast to support the long journey of being formed into the image of Jesus