Why we’re here…
The mission of Ministry Oasis is to provide teaching and resources regarding the uniquenesses and dangers of ministry. The metaphor of ministry as a desert emerged from empirical and anecdotal research. This research indicates that many in ministry experience a desert rather than a lush garden. Furthermore, very few ministry conferences and or campaigns seemed to be touching this dehydration of soul that ministry seems to cause in the minister and their spouse.
Our experience and research motivated us to develop teaching/mentoring designed to normalize the minister’s experience that we like to call the “I’m not alone or crazy after all” realization. Ministry is not a desert experience because you’re not a good gardener; it’s because the environment and work of ministry are intrinsically desert-like. It will dehydrate your soul as you pour yourself into it because that’s what deserts do. Furthermore, we sought to develop oasis-like interventions that could be owned and sustained by the minister and spouse themselves providing continual soul hydration.
What we hope you will find at this site the means to establish an oasis in your ministry desert.
Getting in touch…
After exploring the resources on this site, you may experience two desires:
One could be the desire to process your ministry experience with Steve or LaDon personally. You can do this by sending an email to steve@ministryoasis.com or ladon@ministryoasis.com.
Second, you may desire to have Steve and LaDon conduct their Ministry Oasis seminar in person for the ministers you serve. You can initiate this by sending an email to steve@ministryoasis.com.
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The Ministry Oasis Developers
Executive Director
Dr. Steven M. Hall (contact Steve, info@ministryoasis.com)
Steve was born and raised in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Having won scholarships to Penn State and Roanoke College for lacrosse, he was poised in his senior year of High School to enter the pre-med field of Sports Medicine. However, God had other plans. In the spring of that senior year of high school, Steve received and accepted the unmistakable call of God on his life to enter the ministry. Of course, this meant finding a school of ministry instead of medicine.
Steve decided on Lee University in Cleveland, TN. He met La Don his sophomore year, and they were married before his senior year in 1986. Upon graduating, they moved to Phoenix, AZ, to serve in an associate pastor role. In 1989 they moved further west to Fountain Valley, CA, in another associate pastor role. La Don and Steve had their first child in 1989.
In 1992 Steve decided to further his education in counseling and do it by returning home to MD. Upon returning, he paired with Pastor Harold Bowman at Heritage Community Church in Christian Education and Pastoral Care. Steve attended Loyola University in Baltimore, MD, graduating in 1998 with a Masters in Pastoral Counseling. He attained his license to practice Mental Health in MD then started the Heritage Pastoral Counseling Center. Since returning to MD, Steve and LaDon had two other children.
In 2006 Steve succeeded Pastor Bowman to become the Lead Pastor of HCC through July of 2022 when he relocated to LaDon’s home town to help care for her aging parents. He is currently teaching at Lee, Southeastern and Richmont University in an adjunct role while leading Paths of Grace Church in Lake Panasoffkee, FL and directing the Nica Thirst Initiative a clean water mission for Nicaragua (www.nicathirst.com). He enjoys the lyrical styling of Bob Dylan, loves to surf and play competitive soccer.
Education
Lee University, Cleveland, TN
Bachelors in Biblical Studies
Loyola University, Baltimore, MD
Masters in Pastoral Counseling
Ashland Theological Seminary, OH Doctorate of Ministry in Spiritual Formation
Activities & Affiliations
• Past Regional Council Member for the Church of God, Cleveland, TN
• Past Maryland Senatorial Scholarship Committee member
• Past Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children and Families
Other Degrees, Certifications, etc.
Natural Church Development Certified Coach
National Certified Counselor
Licensed Certified Professional Counselor - MD
Ordained Bishop - Church of God, Cleveland, TN
Recommendations
LaDon Hall
I am very proud to serve as a pastor's wife. Other than parenting, I can't imagine a more noble work. As the pastor's wife, I've worn many hats depending on the need in keeping with its unique role. My dual primary purpose over our 35 years of ministry is to help Steve and mom to our kids. Otherwise, I love filling in the gaps where needed in ministry.
For many years it was a joy to serve in the Children's Ministry, leading worship, performing skits to enhance lesson application, but most importantly, to love God's little ones who He created on purpose.
Being the Lead Pastor's Wife is very satisfying on many levels; however, I've experienced the dark side of ministry on many levels as well. I've developed a deep burden for ministers' spouses, blindsided and disillusioned by the dark parts of ministry. Denial is no remedy for wounds incurred doing God's work. Going forward, I want to help the ministry spouse thrive, not just survive.
Education
Lee University
BA in Communications
Activities & Affiliations
•Accomplished actress: Discovery Channel documentaries, national and local commercial and industrial talent, lead role in the feature length film Day of the Gun currently featured on Amazon Prime Video, and many more theatrical performances.
Past member of the DelMarVa-DC Regional Women’s Ministry Board for a decade
Peabody trained vocalist