Yielding a Harvest: Serving God at Work & Church
Photos courtesy of Calvary Chapel Living Hope
When Pastor Steve Freeman was offered a promotion at one of his insurance jobs, the conversation between him and his boss at the time soon got on a different track; by the end of the meeting, Steve had helped lead his supervisor to Christ.
Steve Freeman, pastor of Calvary Chapel Living Hope (CCLH) in West Des Moines, IA, preaches a sermon on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He has been the bi-vocational pastor since the church was planted in 2004 and works full-time in the insurance industry as well as serving the West Des Moines Police Department as chaplain.
This opportunity to share the Word at work wasn’t the first that Steve had encountered. The pastor—who serves both as the pastor of Calvary Chapel Living Hope in West Des Moines, IA, and works full-time as a workers’ compensation director—said that though he is bi-vocational, God has created opportunities for him to share the love of Jesus and work hard full-time.
“I really look at all of life as a full-time ministry, regardless of where I am,” said Steve. “God’s given me great opportunities. A lot of people are interested in the things of God, doing the right thing. When asked ‘What’s your motivation?’ I’m open about mine. I want to bring glory to God.”
On a mission trip to Cambodia, Pastor Steve works with Harmony Outreach and several Calvary Chapels from throughout the U.S. to minister to the people of Prey Veng, a small province about 90 kilometers east of Phnom Penh, Vietnam. “It was an eye-opening trip, helping to establish some lifelong relationships,” he shared.
Steve has been the pastor of CC Living Hope since he and his wife, Becky, and their four kids moved to West Des Moines and planted the church in 2004. The congregation of about 50 people meets Sundays in the Valley Junction Activity Center, holding their midweek gatherings at the church office.
Working part-time in ministry and part-time primarily in insurance for nine years, he moved full-time into insurance in 2013 while continuing to serve as the church’s pastor. Steve’s life has been a mix of opportunities to share—some planned, some spontaneous. At times, those chances arise through his work as a chaplain with the West Des Moines Police Department or through church services. At other times, they arise through conversations with coworkers or simply through his decision to work diligently, Steve said.
“I believe that when I’m at work, God’s called me to work hard,” he said. “We’re called to be reasonable, fair, to be a light. I think that’s being a good witness.”
Steve notes the opportunity to work alongside some who believe differently than he does, which calls to mind Romans 10:14: How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
And not only does his work in the secular world present a chance to share—but conversations with coworkers and community members have also sharpened his own faith. “I have worked with a lot of great people over the years and have relationships that I value dearly. They bless and sharpen me; hopefully I can encourage and sharpen them a bit,” Steve confirmed.
On a work trip, Steve discusses important insurance issues with Iowa Senator Joni Ernst at her office in Washington D.C. He has worked with her team on more than one occasion and also enjoys encouraging her in her pro-life stance.
“We should all have people who are close to us that aren’t believers,” Steve commented. “It can be easy to get into our Christian bubbles. I experienced some of that when I was in full-time ministry. I believe that being engaged with those that might believe differently is healthy. God’s not threatened by questions, neither should we be; His Word is true.”
Along with the blessings of being bi-vocational, Steve acknowledges the difficulties that come with the packed schedule of being a pastor, employee, husband, and father. A typical week sees him put at least 40 hours toward his insurance job; some weeks, that number is much higher. Most days, he is up at 4:45 in the morning. He makes a point of exercising—also listening to Bible studies while on the treadmill.
Thursday evenings are blocked out for preparing his upcoming teachings, but throughout the week, he keeps a digital copy of his message with him so he can prepare and alter it as needed. If the week allows, he aims to carve out Saturdays for family time and projects around the house. On Sunday mornings, he makes any last-minute adjustments to the message and practices the sermon, if there’s time; and once that’s done, it’s time for the service to begin.
The CCLH congregation fellowships on the beach at Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines to worship the Lord and celebrate as Steve prepares to baptize fellow believers in the sprawling Blue Heron Lake.
“I’ve made all of the mistakes: Trying to do it all myself, overdoing it,” the pastor said. “Time is sort of the main struggle, and just maintaining the proper priorities. “I’m a Christian first, a husband, a father before anything else. I would also encourage guys: Don’t leave out the family, that’s our first ministry. Those years don’t come back,” Steve urged.
Reflecting on his years of juggling numerous responsibilities, from ministries to meetings, he added, “I’ve learned that leaning on the Lord and having a good team has been and continues to be just critical. Someday I will retire from insurance and have more time to focus on ministry. That will be a huge blessing. For many of us, retirement is in heaven anyway—until then, we serve the Lord wherever He has called us."
Steve and his wife, Becky, frequently bike together, often around the 323-acre Blue Heron Lake (behind him) or enjoying some of the many miles of “Rails to Trails” bike trails throughout Central Iowa, helping them remain active and strengthen their marriage. Steve emphasized the importance of bi-vocational pastors prioritizing their family.
Learn more about Calvary Chapel Living Hope, West Des Moines, at cclivinghope.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
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