Photos by Desiree van Hoven

A bi-vocational Calvary Chapel pastor in rural Virginia lives out his passions—caring for his small fellowship, a strong call to mission work, and good stewardship of God’s creation. In fact, Clearview Chapel in Orange, VA, meets in Pastor Bill van Hoven’s very own greenhouses, a convergence of faith and horticulture. He is the shepherd of a congregation, but his roots lay in the tending of plants and nature.

He is following long-held family traditions—both in vocation and faith. Before starting his own business nine years ago, Bill and his seven siblings learned the trade from working in both his father’s and grandfather’s greenhouses, raising plants to sell to wholesalers. The men also demonstrated and lived out a passion for ministry to the spiritually lost.

“I’ve been really blessed to have those two generations of ministry-minded men as role models,” Bill explained. “My father is still actively involved in supporting multiple mission outreaches both financially and with his time and expertise in the field. From Venezuela to Guatemala and Nicaragua, there are several missions that are blessed by his support and guidance.” His grandfather also supported missions by going overseas to teach local people groups how to raise crops to support themselves.

Bill spent time in his younger years serving in ministry, with a particular focus on missions. He spent almost four years living and serving in Haiti during his youth. This early experience ignited his desire to make a tangible impact by supporting native communities and cultures through missions.

When the time came to consider life careers, he pursued studies in horticulture before finding his way to Calvary Chapel Charlottesville, VA.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

Growing in the Word & Missions

Around 2004, while attending CC Charlottesville, Bill’s passion for the Word of God led him to start a weekly Bible study, which rapidly grew into a flourishing church culture. By 2005, Bill officially stepped into the role of a pastor and founded Calvary Chapel Culpeper, VA, which eventually became Clearview Chapel. By 2006, they were renting a building.

When Pastor Chad Myhre from CC Charlottesville told him there was a mission team in India equipping the local church, his interest was piqued. In 2014, while serving as the pastor over his own church, Bill was able to travel to India to see what the Lord was doing through Serve India Ministries. Serve India is focused on equipping local believers and pastors with training, resources, and funds to aid the spread of the Gospel to an unbelieving local population.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

Pastors from American churches were asked to teach Inductive Bible Study—each focusing on a different type of biblical literature—to equip the local pastors. “I loved the idea of being able to serve side by side with people who are serving their own community. I believe the best way to reach the hearts of people we don’t understand is to train the people who do,” he emphasized. His encounter with Serve India was pivotal, allowing him to embrace a form of missions that resonated deeply with his convictions—empowering local believers to embrace their faith and fulfill their calling.

Bill’s heart was touched for the cause of those trying to spread the Gospel in that environment, and he immediately began trying to think of a way Clearview Chapel could be of more aid to the cause.

The Greenhouse Sanctuary

Upon returning from his mission experience, Bill proposed the idea of conducting church services within the confines of Clearview Greenhouses—to send the funds formerly allotted to rent to the ministry overseas. The transition was not without its challenges, particularly navigating insurance complexities, but it ultimately allowed the congregation to create a unique sanctuary intertwining faith and horticulture. Clearview Greenhouses, a commercial facility supplying major retailers like Lowes and Home Depot with plants for sale, became a haven for the ministry’s growth during the summer months.

[Gallery] Clearview Greenhouses in Orange, VA, is situated on 40 gently rolling acres in the scenic Piedmont region of the state. Intertwining faith and horticulture, the congregation at Clearview Chapel has created a unique sanctuary within the kaleidoscopic floral surroundings.

The parallel between nurturing plants and nurturing souls was evident to Bill: A gardener’s work is humble, yet the analogy of a garden has always held a special place in God’s Word. Just as gardeners tend to their plants with dedication, pastors are often likened to gardeners who lovingly care for their congregations.

For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. Isaiah 61:11

“It’s interesting because most people like plants,” laughed Pastor Bill. “Most people have really enjoyed being around the plants; if you think about it, the first thing God created for people to live in was a garden. If you look at the Bible, many illustrations are about roots, planting, and farming.”

The fellowship itself has leaned into this in the way they all have come together to ensure that their place of worship is consistently tended and prepared for the church body. Volunteers help prepare coffee on Sunday mornings, set up chairs, and prep the rooms used for children’s church. Pastor Bill described how he has been blessed to see volunteers coming together to serve the church and ensure it is well cared for. “It’s amazing; people are so cheerful, and they come in early in the morning and help tear down at the end of the day. To them, it’s just their way of helping ensure that the Gospel goes out.”

The church itself does not advertise widely that they meet in a greenhouse, though that fact has been the major source of its appeal for believers inviting others to attend on Sunday mornings. “People are curious, and so they come. If it’s not for them, that’s OK,” Bill acknowledged. “We believe that the Word is going to go out no matter the setting.”

The relatively small congregation has readily embraced the unconventional setting, recognizing that any discomfort is an investment in both their own growth and the growth of the Gospel overseas as their funds aid efforts to bring Christ to more local people groups.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:2-3

Learn more about this fellowship at clearviewchapelva.org or by contacting Pastor Bill at 540-219-9106 or billvanhoven@icloud.com

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Follow our series in which we highlight bi-vocational—and even tri-vocational—pastors who minister to others through secular jobs while faithfully serving their congregations.  

From Farrier to Shepherd
Pastor Steve Feden, Calvary Chapel Fluvanna, VA

Today’s Tentmaker
Pastor Richie Cancel, Calvary Life Brooklyn, NY

A Lighthouse In The Darkness
Pastor Dean Barham, Lighthouse Calvary Chapel, Manchester, NH

Rubbing Elbows with the World
Pastor Don Rypstra, Calvary Chapel Rochester, MN

Serving God at Work & Church
Pastor Steve Freeman, Calvary Chapel Living Hope, West Des Moines, IA

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© 2023 Calvary Chapel Magazine (CCM). All rights reserved. Articles or photographs may not be reproduced without the written permission of CCM. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.® Used by permission.