Steve served as Pastor of Exeter Presbyterian Church in Exeter, NH for 31 years. He and his wife Candy planted the church and remain involved in seeking kingdom fruitfulness and unity throughout the state. Steve is one of our Small Town Summits Coaches. Rural New England churches that are “stuck” and need a pastor to come alongside of them can receive free coaching. Contact us HERE for more information about STS Coaching.

Tell us a little about your ministry in small-town New England.

My wife and I moved to Exeter, New Hampshire in 1994 in order to plant a church. On Christmas Day, 2025, we retired after 31 years of pastoral ministry. During that period ,we were able to work alongside a precious group of people, even through some very difficult moments.

We made friendships that are forever. We saw people come to faith and grow in the Lord. Others returned to Jesus after years of wandering, which was my own Christian experience as well. All of this happened in the midst of challenging afflictions.

How did you end up in your church?

After some frustrating investigations in other possible locations, Candy and I were driving to the New Hampshire Seacoast when we passed the road to Exeter. Some months before she had enjoyed walking through the lovely little downtown. She said to me, “Why don't we move here?” It was that simple. We were suddenly on a journey that involved more than just a toe in the water. I realized in my soul that we had to put a stake in the ground or we would be quickly discouraged by the normal ups and downs of serving God in a hard place. That was it. We were all in.

Not surprisingly, our commitment to this simple calling was tested mightily in the weeks that followed. One after another we heard of three possibilities that all seemed much more promising, but we had truly decided that we were going to Exeter, whatever that might mean. By the way, those other three alternatives soon disintegrated into nothing for various reasons. God was leading and forming us according to his plan.

What are some reasons that you love the small places?

Every village is worth a gospel witness. There needs to be some outpost for the Kingdom of Heaven in that place.

Small towns matter for the same reason that the biggest cities in the world matter: There are people there. People are fascinating! Each life that we encounter is a well-written book crafted by an Author who has a wild plan and the power to make it all come to pass. It is our privilege to be sent into these various places. We are there to give ourselves away in the Name of the One who died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6).

What thrills your heart about the place where you ended up?

Every town has an unfolding story. Suddenly we became a part of that. Exeter's narrative includes George Whitefield and his last sermon before his death. It has the history of John Phillips, the early American educator, and the famous high school that bears his name, Phillips Exeter Academy. Of course, it's not all about prior centuries. There are also the beautiful tree-lined streets with lovely old homes that we can see today. Not far from these there are hidden trailer parks that cannot be seen at first glance. All of these various people matter to God. It was such a privilege to find a way to enter into all of that variety—stories that we only get to know by actually being there.

In the midst of all of this wonderful life is the gnawing fact of hopelessness. Our neighbors may have very unsatisfying answers to the deep questions of life and death. What a privilege it is for us to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ. We proclaim the hope of a resurrection life that begins in us right now.

What are some of the difficulties you have come across in small-town ministry?

Some of the hardest moments of ministry come when a pastor feels isolated. Where are the other leaders who can stand with us in our hour of need? Many shepherds go through a season where we appear to be all alone.

Conversely, we may have times when there are several other leaders among our small group of saints, but our times together become unpleasant and contentious. We need to have spiritually alive councils that energize all those involved—times where we all honestly believe that God is in our midst.

How can we help to create that kind of positive environment in a world where people seem to lack the skills that make for joyful service together? We may need help from others to rediscover how to pray for each other, how to listen lovingly, and how to encourage one another when we speak. We can learn how to have productive, Spirit-filled times of fruitful deliberation and godly action.

How would you encourage a small-town pastor who is wondering if his ministry is worth it?

I would invite such a person to begin praying with someone who has had some meaningful experience of servant leadership. Is there someone who can help that pastor to know the steadfast love of the Lord again?

We are not alone. Together we can remember how to build one another up in faith and obedience. We can find hope again in the Lord.