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Pastors
Steve Sommerlot
What do you do here at Riv?
I teach on weekends at the Holt Venue and help oversee RivU, which is all about training people to become mission-minded through education in Bible, theology, character, and ministry. I also teach the Membership Class and The Man Class, a favorite that I added in the last year.
Family info?
I met my wife while she was an undergrad here at Michigan State. We have been married for twenty-five fantastic years, and we have four great kids.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in central Iowa on a cash-grain farm. My high school was so small that when I played football, I played offense, defense, and at half-time, marched in the band. Really.
What's your Riv story?
I moved here with the original team that started Riverview back in the day (1977) simply because I wanted to reach young people who have their whole future to make a difference in this world for Jesus. There were twelve of us who moved together, sent out from a campus ministry church near Iowa State University in Ames. We didn’t have a Sunday morning service for three years! We met in homes and MSU campus buildings, and even baptized in the Red Cedar River! Riverview had very much of a student ministry focus for the first seventeen years. Over time, as people got married and had families, but still wanted to be involved in reaching students, we found land, raised money and put up the first building on the present site in 2001. The rest is history that’s still being written.
How did you learn about Jesus?
A new guy moved into the dorm floor I lived on at Iowa State. We became friends and over time, he explained to me what it really meant to be a believer. As I wrestled to understand, I also met a bunch of his friends who also were Christians, and heard their stories too. I finally came to see that my sins were keeping me from knowing God. Realizing this, I asked my friend, “What do you think is holding me back from becoming a Christian?” He answered, “Steve, it's only yourself.” Then he read to me Romans 10:9, which says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Shortly after this, I put my faith and trust in Christ.
What is something we don't know about you?
All my siblings were valedictorians, but I was a screw-off and didn’t quite make it.
Favorite book?
Shadow of the Almighty, by Elisabeth Elliot. It’s the story of her young husband, from their college days, to becoming a missionary/martyr while reaching tribespeople in the jungles of Ecuador.
What music is in your player right now?
"How Come?" by Ray Lamontagne
Aside from pastor, what are some other jobs you’ve had in the past?
I’ve worked as an all around farm hand, a beef herd cowboy, a sod layer, on the hog kill in a packing plant, owned a small painting business, was a Meijer warehouse loader, and a night shift office cleaner guy.
Who are some people that have inspired you?
Jim Elliot, George Whitefield, Jeff Moore, Chris Biang, both my granddads, and my own father.
Hobbies?
I like running three to five times a week, and duck hunting in the fall.
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
The power to go back in time and learn from awesome people in the past.
What makes you smile?
My kids’ very dumb, very dry humor. Also, being on a leadership team of guys who are outstanding to work with.
What are some things that you hope to happen in or through Riv?
Hundreds saved, marriages strengthened, young people being sent out in mission, and new venues and new churches planted.
How do you take your coffee?
Black decaf.
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