NW Valley Times

Brett Bergstrom, a senior pastor and university development manager at Grand Canyon University (GCU), balances two demanding roles with dedication. Rising daily at 3:30 a.m., Bergstrom embraces his dual responsibilities without needing time off. "God provides everything I need," he shared, expressing his passion for ministry.

Bergstrom's journey into bivocational ministry began after the 2008 recession forced him to close his hot tub and barbecue business in Surprise, Arizona. Seeking guidance from his church pastor led him to consider pastoral work despite having a marketing degree. His path was confirmed when a friend sought his support during a family crisis.

Accepting an assistant pastor role required Bergstrom to find additional income. He sold spa chemicals and serviced hot tubs alongside his church duties, embodying the bivocational model he now advocates.

In Houston, Bergstrom planted a church while working as a counselor at GCU, leveraging skills acquired under President Brian Mueller, who had coached him in basketball decades earlier. This experience highlighted the value of bivocational roles in addressing church shortages.

Dr. Jason Hiles, Dean of GCU College of Theology, emphasized that bivocational students can fill various church roles beyond pastoring. New academic offerings aim to equip students for these positions through courses in business revitalization and minors in counseling or Spanish.

John Kaites, Dean of Colangelo College of Business and Horizon Church's senior pastor, underscored the intersection of business skills and ministry needs. He stated that future church leadership could emerge from business students applying their expertise to ministry contexts.

Student Reece Woods exemplifies this integration as she manages her studies in human resource management while serving as a youth pastor at Twentynine: Eleven Church in Tempe. Her commitment reflects the potential for career skills to enhance church work.