From Pastor to Pickleball Entrepreneur: Joe Freudenberg on Leaving Ministry, Being A Man, and Staying on Mission

In this episode of The In-Between, Evan sits down with Joe Freudenberg—former youth pastor turned entrepreneur, coach, and founder of Pickleball CourtPro. Joe’s journey is one many vocational leaders will resonate with: a quiet realization that the life he’d built no longer aligned with the mission he felt called to live.Joe shares what it was like to leave vocational ministry without a clear next step, the slow and often disorienting season that followed, and how unlikely mentors and manual labor helped him rediscover provision, purpose, and possibility. From flipping eBay items in a basement to building pickleball courts and coaching other dads, Joe’s story is a powerful testament to how God uses the in-between.We talk about the emotional toll of transition, what it means to rebuild not just a career but a sense of calling, and how Joe’s family is now living out a vision he first shared in his twenties—this time, funded by his own business. He reflects on what kept him going when he wanted to quit, how finding “the right person” made all the difference, and why flourishing, for him, is measured by the fruit he sees in his home.Joe also shares how he’s now helping other dads leave ministry, start businesses, and pursue a deeper alignment between calling, capacity, and conviction.Takeaways: 👉 Why Joe left ministry without bitterness—but with deep confusion 👉 What wandering seasons can teach us if we give them space 👉 How assembling IV pump parts created mental room for transformation 👉 The story behind Joe’s first court build—and the conversation that made it possible 👉 Why ministry leaders often underestimate their transferable soft skills 👉 The importance of asking for help—and how one person can shift everything 👉 What Joe believes flourishing looks like now as a husband, father, and business owner 👉 Why creating space for your family’s vision might matter more than everThis episode is for anyone who’s left ministry, is questioning their next move, or is in the messy middle between identity and income. If you’ve ever wondered, “What do I do with all these skills I can’t put on a resume?”—this one’s for you.📝 Show Notes at: https://itstheinbetween.com/episode25-joe-freudenberg/