Episode Summary

Paul Stetler reflects on his transition from a pastor’s kid in the Midwest to spending 20 years in Public Relations and Advancement at Hobe Sound Bible College. He discusses the pressures of living under campus scrutiny, the importance of maintaining authenticity while traveling for ministry, and how he navigated the devastating loss of his wife, Jacinda.

Ultimately, Paul shares how God "reframed" his life, moving him from his long-held dream of pastoring into a fruitful career in full-time evangelism.

Dr. Rodney Loper

• President of God's Bible School & College
• PhD in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University
• MA in Leadership and Preaching from Trinity Theological Seminary

Paul Stetler

• 20 Years at Hobe Sound Bible College in Recruitment, Public Relations, and Advancement
• Pursued Graduate Studies in Historical Theology at the University of Manchester (UK) and Educational Leadership at Hobe Sound Bible College
• BA in Ministerial Studies from Hobe Sound Bible College
• Ordained Elder in the Bible Methodist Connection of Churches

Topics Covered

• Moving from a small-town pastorate to a large Bible college campus as a teenager
• The challenges and safeguards of traveling in Public Relations for over two decades
• Hearing God's voice in pivotal moments, even when the answer is "no"
• Transitioning into evangelism after personal tragedy and the loss of a spouse

Key Takeaways

• Authenticity is build on relationship: Hearing God's voice during a crisis requires a pre-existing, daily conversational relationship with Him
• God's "No" is a setup for His "Yes": Staying in a role out of obedience can lead to unexpected opportunities like graduate studies abroad or future ministry contacts
• Accountability is a safeguard: Staying "shoulder-to-shoulder" with others in ministry provides a healthy environment that prevents faking one's spiritual life

Video Chapters

00:00 Intro & Moving to Hobe Sound

06:30 Public Relations for Hobe Sound

13:54 Call to Ministry & Working at Hobe Sound

27:06 Meeting Jacinda & Evangelism

33:36 Final Thoughts