Couple works double duty
Matt and Amy Olson of Gibsonia come to Butler each week, sometimes several times a week, to lead Covenant Life Church. Started in 2004, members meet at the former Grace Lutheran building on New Castle Street.
Both Olsons work other jobs as well, since they also come with three children and a mortgage.
"Eventually if we would get a church building of our own that would be different," Amy said. "We're praying that someday it will happen."
Matt works as a health and physical education teacher in two middle schools in the North Allegheny School District. Amy is employed as a physical therapist at Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Cabot.
The couple met at Slippery Rock University while pursuing master's degrees.
"He knew then he had a calling. He asked me if I could be a pastor's wife," she recalled.
Matt considers his two jobs complementary. "The jobs are similar in the sense of caring and helping and teaching and giving direction. There are a lot of similarities really," he said.
Because of their prior obligations, the pair was sent out from Church at the Heights in Gibsonia with lots of help. Six other couples are assisting in "planting" the church, taking care of music, visitations and other duties.
Their efforts are attracting 65 to 85 attendees each week.
Though Matt has been teaching school for 17 years, he said he would leave it to be a full-time minister. "Eventually if it is something that the church would be able to do... it's working out the way it is right now because we're a growing church; we're saving for a building."
<i>Some area pastors work at a second job because smaller or independent church congregations, while being vital, are unable to support a full-time spiritual leader. Other ministers choose to work, and their congregations — and employers — are accepting of that. Area pastors and their second or even third jobs are explored in this story for Labor Day.</i>
