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 is in the process of earning his 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. Waters of Rest 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
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:
Understanding and Practicing Sabbath- August 14, 2023
Online Renewal Workshop with The Way Ministry (Joel Peed)
Upper Midwest Women's Retreat, Alexandria, MN- September 22-24, 2023
Sacred Rest (Christy Peed)
Midwest Preachers' Retreat, Black River Falls, WI- September 25-27, 2023
Sabbath (Joel Peed)
Small Church Leadership Conference, Dallas, TX- November 30-December 3
Minister Wellness (Joel and Christy Peed)
Previous:
Minister Health and Wellness Training Webinar - March 31, 2022
Sabbath, Solitude, and Retreat (Joel Peed)
https://www.disciplestoday.org/next-minister-s-health-webinar-sabbath-solitude-and-retreat
Upstate New York - May 14-15, 2022
Sabbath Workshop (Joel Peed)
World Discipleship Summit in Orlando, FL - August 2, 2022
Sabbath Rest IN Christ (Joel Peed)
Des Moines, IA- April 23, 2023
Sabbath for the Soul (Joel Peed)