The Warehouse or the Pulpit? The Story of Carey Nieuwhof

There was a time when one of today’s most respected leadership voices wanted to leave ministry for a warehouse job—because stacking boxes sounded easier than pastoring. That voice was Carey Nieuwhof.

Hey everyone, I’m Justin Trapp, and this is Ministry Minute.

The Small Church Reality

Most pastors know Carey Nieuwhof as a leadership author, speaker, and podcaster—someone whose mission is to help leaders thrive in life and leadership. But long before the books and the influence, Carey was pastoring three tiny churches north of Toronto—one with six people, another with fourteen, and the biggest with twenty-three.

He was a former lawyer who never quite felt like the “pastor type.” In those early years, he often wondered if he’d made a mistake. The pressure to grow small congregations, preach weekly, and keep everyone happy started to crush him.

The Breaking Point

Carey later said there was a season where ministry nearly broke him. He found himself daydreaming—not about beaches or vacations—but about stacking boxes in a warehouse, because, as he put it, “that sounded simple and peaceful.”

That’s the kind of exhaustion and disillusionment that makes many pastors want to walk away. But Carey didn’t. He stayed.

He took small, faithful steps forward—learning to lead better, trust God deeper, and build teams that could carry the weight together. Over time, what began as three struggling congregations grew into Connexus Church—a thriving and innovative community in Canada.

Forged in Doubt

It’s easy to look at Carey’s platform now and assume it came easy. But the truth is, it was forged in the same doubts and disappointments you might be feeling right now.

So if you’re in that season where ministry feels like it’s breaking you, remember Carey’s story. God might be refining something in you that He intends to multiply later. Stay faithful in the small things—because those unseen seasons might be the foundation of something greater than you can imagine.

I’m Justin Trapp—and this has been your Ministry Minute.