Ogle

Steve Ogle of Butler used to be a successful painting contractor, but a few years ago some well-laid plans paid off.

He and his wife, Mamie, were associate pastors at Victory Christian Fellowship, now Victory Family Church in Cranberry Township.

Then near the end of 2004, the couple had put together the financial means to start Community Life Church, which meets Sundays at McQuistion Elementary School.

"When you start out, you really don't know where the money is going to come from," Ogle recalled.

"We were able to do some wise things with our money ... you save some money, you prepare for a rainy day, you invest. We were able to save six months salary in our emergency fund that we used until the congregation was up and running and could support a salary."

The money may not be as much as before, but "you know in your heart you can't do anything but this," Ogle said. "The Christian lifestyle is a lifestyle of sacrifice. Mamie and I are willing to sacrifice to fulfill the mission God has put in our lives. For over a decade I've been calling the people of Butler 'the pearl of the world.' ... I believe our mission is to awaken people to God's purpose for their lives. ... For Mamie and I, that's our whole lives."

Now they look toward a church building of their own, as much as they admire the facilities at McQuistion.

"When we have a building, we'll be able to do a lot more as a church. We will be able to help even more people than we are now," he said.

Ogle said as good as his painting crew was, he's not going to do that work anymore. Well maybe once. "Only if I have to paint my house!"

<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>