Stewart grew up in a small town in Wisconsin 100 miles north of Chicago, where he attended a small church which was like an extended family. He became a Christ follower at the age of 7 during a special service. He went on to Wheaton College, a Christian college in Chicago, where he learned how to integrate his Christian faith with his learning in physics and mathematics.

Stewart married fellow Wheaton alumna Laura in 1993 while completing his PhD studies in Physics at the University of Illinois. They journeyed together to Papua New Guinea to serve in the US Peace Corps, where they had the opportunity to teach schoolteachers and speak in churches. Later, Stewart worked as an engineer at Texas Instruments in Dallas, had the joy of returning to Wheaton as a Physics professor, and now works in Artificial Intelligence at Accenture in San Diego.

Stewart and Laura have two children- Riellie, a student at Westmont College, and Zach, a senior at Classical Academy High School. Stewart loves hiking, skiing, rock climbing and enjoying the beautiful southern California mountains. The DeSotos have attended LBC for 4 years, attracted by the Biblical teaching, powerful worship and excellent youth ministries. Stewart is active in a LifeGroup and has volunteered on the church security team and as a Bridge Kids greeter.  Stewart is excited to join LifeBridge in its mission to be a bridge that helps people find and follow Jesus.