Jesse Reimers

If you were to ask the average small church pastor, “What kind of people does your church support?” you’d likely hear: families, single parents, new believers, the elderly, perhaps recovering addicts. But what if we asked a different question: “Is your church a place where Kingdom-minded entrepreneurs feel seen, supported, and equipped?” That question strikes at the heart of what Barna and Faith Driven Entrepreneur uncovered in their research. While nearly 20% of churchgoers identify as entrepreneurial , very few churches have intentional strategies to walk alongside them. What if that changed? What if small churches became launchpads , not just lighthouses —places that don’t just shine with truth, but send people into their mission fields equipped and encouraged to build for the glory of God? This isn’t a luxury reserved for large, well-staffed congregations. In fact, it might be something only a small church can do intimately and effectively. The Marketplace Is a Mission Field...

You’ve probably seen it. That faithful man who owns a landscaping company but never asks for prayer. The woman launching her Etsy store who always smiles but never opens up. The young dad trying to get his app off the ground while volunteering on your worship team. These people are showing up. They’re giving. They’re pushing themselves forward with courage and faith. But what you might not see is how deeply many of them are struggling— emotionally, spiritually, and relationally . Barna’s research in collaboration with Faith Driven Entrepreneur uncovered something many pastors overlook: Christian entrepreneurs often feel isolated, misunderstood, and unsupported. And perhaps most concerning—they often don’t know how to reconcile their calling to create with their spiritual need for community. As a small church pastor, this is your opportunity. You don’t need a big business network or a theology degree in economics. You need compassion, curiosity, and conviction that these builder...

If you lead a small church, you probably know the faces of your congregation well. You know the teachers, nurses, truck drivers, and small business owners. But have you ever thought about how many entrepreneurs are sitting in your pews—right now, waiting to be seen, understood, and empowered? According to Barna Group’s research in partnership with Faith Driven Entrepreneur, up to 20% of churchgoers identify as entrepreneurial. That’s one in five members who see themselves not just as workers, but as creators, builders, and innovators . And yet, many pastors—especially in smaller churches—haven't been trained to recognize or shepherd this segment of the flock. Today, the gig economy, side hustles, and freelance work are exploding. More people are pursuing non-traditional paths to provide for their families and fulfill a deep internal drive to create something meaningful. The Church has an incredible opportunity to step into this moment—not just to tolerate entrepreneurs—but to a...

As a small church pastor, it can be easy to feel overlooked—by people, by platforms, and sometimes, if we're honest, even by God. You may be pouring out your heart week after week, shepherding faithfully with limited resources and little recognition, and quietly wondering: If God doesn’t show favoritism, why does it seem like others get more influence, more opportunity, or more intimacy with Him? Even in Scripture, Jesus had inner circles—three disciples at the Transfiguration, twelve in His closest community, and the multitudes beyond them. So how do we reconcile this with a God who is said to love all equally? Let’s look deeper into this tension and find clarity, encouragement, and purpose in the way Jesus modeled relationships and leadership. This is a profound and often wrestled-with question in both theological study and personal discipleship: If God doesn’t show favoritism (Romans 2:11), then why did Jesus seem to operate with different levels of closeness and access among H...

 You didn’t get into ministry to become a statistic. But if you’re a church leader in 2025, the numbers aren’t easy to read—and you might feel them in your bones. According to the 2025 Church Trends report by Carey Nieuwhof: One-third of pastors seriously considered quitting ministry in the past year. Eighteen percent of pastors have considered suicide or self-harm. Only 7% of pastors under 45 say they’re flourishing in life and ministry. Let’s stop right here. If you’re a small church pastor who feels tired, discouraged, burned out, emotionally numb, or spiritually dry—you are not weak. You are not a failure. You are not faithless. You’re a human being doing sacred work in a broken world. And God sees you. The Weight Few Understand Ministry has always been hard—but in recent years, it’s become relentless . It’s not just preaching and praying anymore. It’s: Managing finances. Dealing with political polarization. Navigating burnout in volunteers. Coun...

 If you've been in ministry for more than a few months, you've probably felt the pressure: Make your church more modern, more exciting, more relevant. Maybe you've asked yourself: Do we need better lighting? Should I change my preaching style? Is our worship too old-school? Are we behind because we don’t have a full creative team or slick social media? Carey Nieuwhof’s 2025 Church Trends report calls this out directly. He points to the growing fatigue with “just-add-water” church models—the kind where every church looks, sounds, and feels exactly the same. A modern worship band. Three Hillsong or Maverick City songs. A cool logo. An upbeat sermon. Coffee. Kids check-in. Go home. There was a time when this formula “worked.” But in today’s spiritual landscape—especially among Gen Z and Millennials—it’s wearing thin. People aren’t looking for a copy of culture. They’re looking for an alternative to it . Enter: The rise of the non-derivative church. What Is a...