Pillar of Faith

Pray for Steven Dugal and his family.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” I Corinthians 13:4-8

Steven Dugal is in the ICU in New Orleans (January 27, 2025). These are the praying hands of Lisa and his daughter, Katy Dugal Simpson (Katy made this photo public).

I ask you to pray for my friend Steven Dugal of New Orleans. Steven recently retired as a successful Managing Partner with Northwestern Mutual.

Steven is a devout believer in Jesus Christ and serves on the Christian Fellowship Community board with me and others. Yesterday, Steven suddenly collapsed while on a treadmill at his local gym. He went over ten minutes without oxygen as the team at the gym sought to revive him, waiting for the ambulance.

I just got off the phone with Lisa, Steven’s wife. I told her that believers from around the nation were praying for Steven and their family. Without going into details, the next twenty-four hours are critical as the hospital attempts to wean Steven off of the ventilator and assess further.

Steven’s Care and Concern for Others

Steven Dugal

I met Steven a few years ago when he picked me up at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. We were headed to the Reeter Ranch for a Christian Fellowship Community Retreat.

I connected immediately with him. Steven’s a true leader. He speaks quietly with a Louisiana drawl and deeply cares for others. He loves the Scripture, but even more importantly, he loves people like Jesus loves him.

Last fall, Steven sent my wife and me a gift from Georgie’s English Kitchen in Tulsa, Oklahoma. That gift was accidentally sent to the ‘wrong address,’ a hilarious story worthy of telling on another occasion.

In attempting to locate the ‘missing package,’ my wife and I became friends with Georgie of Georgie’s English Kitchen in Tulsa. We discovered she had been Steven’s long-time assistant in New Orleans before moving to Tulsa.

Steven Dugal sent his gift to the Burleson’s to help his former executive assistant expand her business nationally.

I couldn’t help but reflect that Steven’s kindness toward Rachelle and me was motivated by his love and support for Georgie.

Steven is always thinking about others.

Now, it’s our turn to think about Steven.

Georgie and I spoke on the phone this morning before I called Lisa Dugal. I asked Georgie for one word or sentence to describe her friend and former boss best:

‘Steven Dugal is a pillar,’ she responded.

A Promise, a Prayer, and a Poem for Steven

Lisa and Steven Dugal

This morning, Steven was in the hospital and absent from our CFC Tuesday Zoom call. As the CFC discussed the book of Romans and we prayed for Steven, doctors were testing Steven’s pupils to see if they responded to light (they did).

Now, it’s a waiting game.

Ron Joelson challenged us in our Zoom study this morning, ‘If you were to be known as a successful financial advisor or a man of God, which would you choose?’

I immediately thought of Steven Dugal. He’s both. But he’d most definitely choose ‘man of God.’ Like his long-time executive assistant said, I would ago one step further and call Steven' a pillar of God.’

Steven led a moving part of the wedding ceremony for his son and daughter-in-law last summer. He texted me about it.

You get it, Steven. The love that matters is Jesus’ love, and His love will sustain you.

Thousands of people around the nation are praying for you, Lisa, Katy, and Nick.

‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’ - Isaiah 41:10

Oh Lord of Heaven, King of Grace,
We humbly kneel before Your face.
With hearts uplifted, we cry aloud,
Jesus, Savior, pierce this cloud.

For Steven, Lord, we intercede,
Touch his body, meet his need.
With hands once scarred, now full of might,
Restore his health, his strength, his light.

Let life arise where weakness dwells,
Let every cell Your mercy tell.
Breathe upon him, Holy Breath,
And banish sickness, cancel death.

Guard his wife, Lisa, by his side,
Let her feel Your peace abide.
Wrap Katy and Nicolaus in Your embrace,
Protect their hearts, sustain their faith.

Oh Jesus, Lord, You raise the dead,
You healed the sick, the multitudes You fed.
Stretch out Your hand, make Steven whole,
Renew his body, spirit, and soul.

We trust Your promise, firm and true,
By Your stripes, Lord, healing is due.
Be his refuge, his strong tower,
Sustain him every waking hour.

In faith we stand, in hope we wait,
Your perfect timing, never late.
To You, O Lord, all praise we give,
For Steven shall rise, in You shall live.

Amen.