ABOUT
Meet the Peeds
Joel and Christy Peed became disciples of Jesus in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1992, where they served as campus ministers, singles ministers, and associate ministers before moving to Omaha, Nebraska, where they led the church for four years.
In 2006 the Peeds, along with three other disciples, followed the promptings of the Spirit to plant the Chippewa Valley Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Since then, the CVC church has grown steadily and has been instrumental in planting another church in Duluth, Minnesota.
Joel has a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has continued his education studying Theology at Grace University, Harding School of Theology, and the Rocky Mountain School of Ministry, receiving a master's degree in Biblical Studies. Joel has an ICF ACC Coaching Certification. Christy has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Spiritual Formation from Regent University.
Joel and Christy have four children, three of whom are disciples. They adopted their youngest, Jayanna, in 2021. Eremos Ministry is their passion project, a way for them to share with others the habits and rhythms of renewal that have shaped their family life and ministry.
From left to right: Jordyn, Carter, Jayanna, Joel, Christy, and Jackson Peed
Meet the St. Jeans
Dr. Sean St. Jean has been a disciple of Jesus since 1996 and a clinical therapist for the past 15 years. Sean holds both a Bachelor’s and Clinical Master’s Degree in Social Work, as well as a Ph.D. in Social Work and Sociology. His research focus is on the effects of vicarious trauma and burnout in helping professionals. Currently, Sean teaches graduate-level social work and is the Director of MSW field education at King University in Tennessee. In his counseling practice, he works with individuals struggling with anxiety and depression, posttraumatic and occupational stress, burnout, and relationship issues using cognitive, psychodynamic, and faith-based approaches. He also specializes in helping Christians recover from spiritual trauma.
Sean currently contributes to the ICOC Ministers Health Committee, has contracted with HOPE Worldwide to provide counseling support to disciples internationally, and works with churches around the world to help them better support their ministry staff. Sean’s first book Spiritual Trauma – A Guide for Healing Your Heart from Church Hurts was published in 2023. His book is available here.
Erin has a diploma in Broadcasting Communications and has worked as a radio DJ, a media buyer, a health coach, and an internationally certified Birth Doula. Her most meaningful career move was accepting the full time, on-call position of Mother. Erin is currently serving as the Ministry Coordinator for Eremos.
Sean and Erin have been married for 20 years and have three children. They are members of the Vancouver Church of Christ in Canada. You can learn more about Sean at www.seanstjean.com.
From left to right: Jacob, Erin, Sean, Andrea, and Noah St. Jean
Meet the Administrator - Dave Hulverson
After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Economics at W.S.U. River Falls in Wisconsin, Dave relocated to the Twin Cities where he met his wife, Leona, and they raised their two sons.
At the turn of the century, at the age of 50, Dave and Leona were baptized into Christ in the Minneapolis Church, where they met the Peeds. After building a Crown Financial Ministry in Minneapolis, and initiating a Crown Ministry in the Eau Claire Church, the Hulversons retired and moved back to their birthplace in west central Wisconsin in 2011. There they were reunited with the Peeds as they joined the Chippewa Valley Church where Dave was appointed and continues to serve as Administrator.
Joel and Christy didn’t have to ask twice for Dave to join them as Administrator for Eremos Ministry Corp. The Peeds passion is contagious!
From left to right: Brian, Dave, Leona and John Hulverson
Sabbatical Stories
The need for sabbatical rest amongst the ministers in our fellowship is real! Joel Peed has been at the forefront of carrying that message through both sermons and personal conversations. Joel was available and helpful for our leadership group here in Madison Wisconsin. He was able to help them grasp the need for my wife and I to have an extended rest after 25 years without a break. He and his wife Christy were quite generous with their time and wisdom in helping Carol and I come up with practical plans for the three month time away. I experienced symptoms of real burnout which turned physical with an unrelenting headache. I am deeply grateful for Joel's dedication and insight into this much misunderstood need!
-Tom Nuelle, Madison Church of Christ
My wife, Lisa, and I took a sabbatical together in April of 2021. Our sabbatical was a one-month trip to the mountains of Tennessee where we stayed in state park cabins or Airbnb rentals near state and national parks. We planned for days of hiking the mountain trails through streams and to waters, and some days to be down days where we could read or watch things or otherwise keep ourselves entertained. Many days, we would pack our lunches in a backpack and head out for most of the day to hike, returning in the late afternoon or early evening.
The most significant aspect of the sabbatical for me was the depth I experienced with God and Lisa because of the way being on sabbatical created room for depth in my life. Normally, our days are filled with work, people, and appointments (amen!), which might allow Lisa and I to be together alone for 20 minutes here and there. On sabbatical, we could talk 30 minutes on a topic during a hike, drift back into silence and wonder at the trails we were exploring, and later on spend more time exploring that topic- then come back and revisit that topic the next day. The same thing with God. I wasn't trying to get up an hour before I had to get ready and leave in the morning to get a fixed time with God- I could take as much time as I wanted, come back to God whenever I wanted.
For me, the power of sabbatical was found in the way it creates the space in your life- the time in schedule and the freedom to explore your heart- to get deeper and deeper, in a way that is hard (impossible?) to do without a break from everything and everyone we commit ourselves to when living the life of discipleship. It brings new value and importance to scriptures like Luke 5:16, when Jesus would go to "deserted places to pray." (NRSV)
-Steve Payne, Chippewa Valley Church
Speaking Schedule
Upcoming:
Online Renewal Workshop - October 26, 2024
Finding Peace in a Busy World: The Sabbath Experience (Joel Peed)
Previous:
Parenting Workshop, Chicago, IL - September 7-8, 2024
Parenting (Joel and Christy Peed)
UK Leaders Retreat, Theddingworth, England - April 8-13, 2024
Minister Wellness (Joel and Christy Peed, Sean and Erin St. Jean)
Renewal Workshop - January 27, 2024
Practicing a Healthy Rhythm of Life & Rest (Joel Peed)
Click here for the link to the YouTube Video
Small Church Leadership Conference, Dallas, TX- November 30-December 3, 2023
Minister Wellness (Joel and Christy Peed)
Renewal Workshop - October 14, 2023
Practicing the Sabbath: Rest for the Restless Soul (Joel Peed)
Click here for the link to YouTube Video
Midwest Preachers' Retreat, Black River Falls, WI- September 25-27, 2023
Sabbath (Joel Peed)
Upper Midwest Women's Retreat, Alexandria, MN- September 22-24, 2023
Sacred Rest (Christy Peed)
Renewal Workshop - May 16, 2023
Minister Wellness (Joel Peed)
Click here for the link to the YouTube Video
Des Moines, IA- April 23, 2023
Sabbath for the Soul (Joel Peed)
Renewal Workshop (Solitude) - March 5, 2023
Into the Quiet: Hearing God Amidst the Noise (Joel Peed)
Click here for the link to the YouTube Video
Renewal Workshop (Sabbath) - January 14, 2023
A Spiritual Sabbath (Joel Peed)
Click here for the link to the YouTube Video
World Discipleship Summit in Orlando, FL - August 2, 2022
Sabbath Rest IN Christ (Joel Peed)
Upstate New York - May 14-15, 2022
Sabbath Workshop (Joel Peed)
Minister Health and Wellness Training Webinar - March 31, 2022
Sabbath, Solitude, and Retreat (Joel Peed)
Click here for the link to the YouTube Video