Steve Schofstoll thought he had left behind the world of agronomy after finding his calling as a pastor.
“I never really thought I would use my degree,” Schofstoll said.
He now serves as a pastor at the Lind Calvary Assembly of God and also puts his agronomy degree to use at the WSU Dryland Research Station in Lind.
Schofstoll graduated with a B.S. in agronomy from WSU in 1987 and then traveled overseas to teach English for a Christian organization. While teaching in countries including Japan and China, Schofstoll realized ministry was something he wanted to pursue.
After receiving his credentials through the Assemblies of God in 1994, Schofstoll began looking for a full-time ministry position. Soon after, he and his wife, Kim, moved to Ritzville.
“Ritzville was looking for a pastor for a small church, and that’s where we ended up,” Schofstoll said.
He pastored both the Lind and Ritzville churches for a time, but now is at Lind only.
While Schofstoll enjoyed his position as pastor, he realized that a supplemental income would be helpful and began looking for a second job, which led him to the WSU Dryland Research Station.
Schofstoll works there as a technical assistant III in a research program. He performs many duties, some of which include taking measurements, entering data in the computer and constructing figures and tables.
Although there are many aspects of the job that Schofstoll enjoys, his favorite part is the level of flexibility it provides.
“It has really worked out well with my work as a pastor,” he said. “The job is able to work around my schedule, which is really important.”
Schofstoll also enjoys the ways his position at the research station is different than ministry.
“I just love getting out in the field,” he said. “I like the physical aspect; in ministry there is no physical aspect really.”
Schofstoll has worked as a part-time temporary employee for the research station for more than 10 years.
“I get to use my degree and do things I love,” he said. “I have the best of both worlds.”
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