Featured Interview With Steve Wilmot
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My passion is to encourage and inspire Christians on their long and sometimes treacherous spiritual journey Home. Over the years, I’ve learned valuable lessons from my own journey of faith and developed indispensable relationships that kept me from giving up when discouragement and lack of hope told me to. My purpose in life is to pay it forward whenever I can — first as a pastor for 40 years and now as a writer and mentor.
I was born and raised in Garrett, a small town in northeast Indiana. I was shy and insecure, so I spent much of school years in relative privacy. I had my church youth group and my interests — baseball, reading, and writing — to keep me cover. Things began to change once I left my town environment and had a chance to meet new people at college.
I attended Great Lakes Bible College and between my Jr. and Sr. married college sweetheart, Becki, in 1974. She supplied great support to me — and many times was my anchor and cheerleader — during our years leading churches from 1976 – 2016. We pastored in Payne, Ohio, Napoleon, Ohio, Edinburg, Indiana, and finally Edgerton, Ohio. We served and settled down there for the past 35 years.
We have four grown children and eight grandchildren ranging in age from a senior in high school to a three-year-old not ready for school yet. I retired from my bi-vocational jobs as a pastor and a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. Along with devotionals, spiritual growth books, and novels, I write a weekly column, “Pastor’s Ponderings,” for two local newspapers. Writing has become my primary avenue to encourage, inspire, and help believers grow in their relationship with God.
In my spare time, I enjoy engaging with my grandkids, reading, gardening, and landscaping around the house. I remain connected with my small group of guys, the Band of Brothers, as we travel side-by-side toward Christlike character and Home. We’ve discovered the Christian life is not Jesus and me — It’s Jesus and we. So, we’ve committed to encourage, support, love, and unconditionally accept each other along our spiritual journey.
I also like to share stories and lessons from my spiritual journey and teach from God’s Word at churches and conferences.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I loved to read books starting in childhood. They took me into worlds that inspired me to take more risks and instructed me in who Jesus was and that he loved me. I started writing in high school. Our school had a newspaper, and as a Jr. I signed up. I covered mostly sports but enjoyed this extra-curricular activity. In my Sr. year, I was promoted to editor, and was awarded the Quill & Scroll award — the highest journalistic award for high school student. It was quite an honor. I’ve been writing ever since, from sermons and Bible lessons to newspaper stories (I owned the local newspaper for 3 years) to books. I love it.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite author is John Eldredge. His books changed my life in many ways and still do.
I also read a lot of Ted Dekker and Andy Stanley.
My most recent favorite authors are John Lynch, Bruce McNichol, and Bill Thrall. Their books, “Bo’s Cafe” and “The Cure” have made a powerful impact on me.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
Joseph is an amazing believer who can teach Christians lots about how to deal with harsh and unfair treatment in a godly way. The book, “30 Days with Joseph: Insights from Joseph’s Spiritual Adventure for Yours.” It’s the second in a series of devotionals drawing helpful insights from Bible characters so we can learn from their stories. The first book looked at Joshua.
For 13 years the circumstances of his life went from bad to worse. Slave. Alleged rapist. Prison convict. He did nothing to deserve such treatment. Yet Joseph never whined or complained. He didn’t get angry or depressed. In fact, when he had the chance to take revenge, he chose mercy, grace, and generosity instead.
Christians today have their ups and downs that challenge their faith and make them wonder why bad things happen to them when they’re following Jesus.
How did Joseph do it?
You’ll find answers in 30 Days with Joseph, the second in an expanding series of devotionals written to examine how Bible characters navigated the challenges of their spiritual journey. Each day of the month, you’ll accompany Joseph and be inspired by a faith firmly rooted in the God who is in total control of everything, is always on time (though it doesn’t seem like it to us), and always keeps his word.
From Joseph’s story, you’ll learn how to overcome the challenges you encounter along the way… even when God doesn’t ride to your rescue right away.
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles
Steve Wilmot’s Website
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