Rev Steve P

02/15/2026

It's been a long while since I posted on this page. It seems that at 77 years old I should slow down and slide quietly away. D.S.'s don't call me to suggest I take on new stuff and I don't have to anyway. But then late last year I got this call and I couldn't say NO. I've been offered some interesting churches in my career, but this is a first. What do you do with a dead church?
So, to start you manage the building, 'cause that's my official title "Building Manager" for the Ocean Beach Methodist Building.
I said, "Yes!" Truth be known, I would have paid to take the job. Because 60 years ago this April, God called me into ministry sitting in the balcony on an empty sanctuary on Wednesday night of Holy Week. The trajectory of my life changed in that building that night.
So, 60 years later, I have the joy of doing the same thing for that God Space.
First thing I did was rename it. I didn't ask anyone, I just did it. It's had many names over the years, but God gave me this one: OBJoyfull.
I now have several teams helping in this venture. Pray for us, please. And follow our adventure on FaceBook at OBJoyfull.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584294181883

The place where good things happen. Kids are cared for, people are fed, history is treasured, and people recover.
OB Joyfull is about taking care of people, so all have the opportunity to be full of joy. Let's help each other enJoy Life.

10/16/2024

People who do great things are people of great vision and courage, boundless optimism and energy, and a strong foundation of faith. Such a person is Bishop ...

10/15/2024

People who do great things are people of great vision and courage, boundless optimism and energy, and a strong foundation of faith. Such a person is Bishop Lawi Imathiu of Kenya Methodist Church. This interview was shot in June of 2024 while I was on a work team to Kenya. It came about unexpectedly yet it was a delightful meeting. I hope you enjoy it.
PS. The whole interview was recorded on an Apple iPhone 16 pro Max outdoors, in the midst of a small group of team members, so there may be sounds and background noise we could not control. My apologies.
https://youtu.be/VXf4kUicGec

07/23/2024

We had a wonderful celebration of St. Andrew's 60 years on Sunday. If you missed it and want to catch up here is the link:

SABTS Worship 2024.07.21Watch our services live on SABTS.Live!https://sabts.live

07/17/2024

27 years ago I was the new pastor at St. Andrew's by-the-Sea UMC. This Sunday I'm preaching as we celebrate the church's 60th Anniversary. Such a wonderful church! We are so lucky to still be a part of this community. (Petty family 1997.) If you were ever connected to St. A's, please feel welcome and invited to come and celebrate with us this week.

07/08/2024

So, I preached at St. Andrew's by-the-Sea UMC today on "The Jefferson Bible".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxCvT7Ish74

06/18/2024

Some times in life you meet someone who is so inspirational and energetic, that you just connect with them instantly. Such a man is Bishop Lawi Imathiu of Kenya. We had an instant bond in 1987 when our first team went to Kenya. After 37 years I found myself in Kenya and could not pass up an opportunity to meet with him again. The picture below is the moment we both recognized each other again.
Bishop Imathiu was kind to give me time for an interview and after I get a chance to edit it and get caught up on a few other things, I will post it to m YouTube Channel.
It was a great day.

06/18/2024

So, in 1987 we took the first group of Pasadena District Kenya Project to build the new water system at the Maua Methodist Hospital in Maua, Kenya. After four weeks of very intensive work we had finished a large crushed rock filter, a mile and a half of 3 inch steel pipe, and a 10,000 gallon storage tank. It instantly provided water all the time, a major upgrade from running out of water every morning around 10am. Several teams later found the system was completely silted up and not working properly.
Last week I visited the Hospital to see how things had changed. I discussed our project with the Hospital Maintenance Director, Steven Omosh, who now makes sure the system has routine maintenance and cleaning.
Not only does our old system still work, they have added new storage tanks, the latest one is 100K liters, and the hospital has grown about 1000%. They have all the water they need and then some, sharing it with the secondary school next door.
So, to all of you who put in the original water system at Maua, Well Done!! Your work is still in use and producing abundantly.
>> scroll down to see the original tank and the new tanks.

06/02/2024

This past year I've been working with several churches who are experiencing substantial growth. I think that we might be on the verge of a new time of church growth, especially among the more tolerant and non-political churches.
Most people want to attend a church that is peaceful, loving, accepting, welcoming, and that all those things are driven by a deep spiritual faith.
So, if your church isn't growing in these times, it might be time to examine your methods, your systems, your spirituality, and your willingness to change.
Teach the love, forgiveness, and openness of Jesus to all people, and find the way forward to change and grow.
It's time to grow people of faith. It is time to grow, NOW.

Send a message to learn more

05/15/2024

Forgot to mention I was the Mother's Day preacher at St. Andrew's by-the-Sea UMC last Sunday. Had lots of fun at Mystery Box and a sermon with a Perfect Ending. You can check it out here:

SABTS Worship 2024.05.12Watch our services live on SABTS.Live!https://sabts.live