AI, Side Hustles, Creative Ministry, and $10K Google Grants: What Every Pastor Needs to Know

For many pastors today, ministry is both a calling and a financial challenge. As the cost of living rises and church salaries remain modest, more pastors are turning to side hustles and creative income streams to provide for their families. This trend is shaping what many believe will define the next generation of church leaders: bivocational ministry.

In a recent episode of The Pro Church Marketing Podcast, host Luke Clayton sat down with Jono Long, founder of Faithworks Marketing, to discuss their parallel journeys from ministry to entrepreneurship. Together, they shared practical strategies for church marketing, candid lessons from business, and encouragement for pastors who feel caught between calling and provision.

Ministry Meets Entrepreneurship

Both Luke and Jono began in full-time ministry, but financial realities forced them to adapt.

Jono, a youth pastor in Georgia, found himself with five kids, a wife at home, and a salary that wasn’t enough to make ends meet. Out of necessity, he turned to social media management for local businesses. What started as a $300-a-month side hustle eventually grew into Faithworks Marketing, an agency serving churches across the country.

Luke’s path was similar but marked by burnout. As a communications director at a large church and school, he was responsible for everything creative—websites, graphics, video, and media. With no budget to outsource and a workload that never stopped, he eventually hit a breaking point. Stepping away cold turkey, he launched his own creative business, Increase Creative, which now helps churches with websites, branding, and podcast production.

Their stories reflect a growing trend: ministry leaders are often entrepreneurs at heart, using their creativity and problem-solving skills to build businesses that support both their families and the church.

Why Bivocational Ministry is the New Normal

While many pastors once saw bivocational work as a backup plan, it is quickly becoming the new reality.

Church salaries often fall short of providing financial stability, especially for families. Meanwhile, the American cost of living continues to rise. This creates tension for pastors who want to devote themselves fully to ministry but also need to provide for their loved ones.

Luke and Jono both noted the guilt factor many pastors feel when pursuing side income, as if it means they are less committed to the church. In reality, bivocational work can be freeing. As Jono shared, when pastors are less dependent on their church paycheck, they can lead with boldness, making decisions based on conviction rather than fear of losing their job.

Unlocking the Power of Google Ad Grants

One of the most practical tools for churches that Jono highlighted is the Google Ad Grant, which gives qualifying nonprofits up to $10,000 per month in free advertising.

Many churches don’t take advantage of it, or they try but see little success. The most common reason: their websites lack content. “Church websites often have only a few words, a mission statement, and service times,” Jono explained. “That will never work for the grant.”

Practical tips for churches to maximize the grant include:

• Create content-rich pages: Google rewards sites with valuable answers to common questions.
• Leverage sermons: Transcribe and summarize sermons into blog posts to boost SEO.
• Target felt needs: Ads about prayer, anxiety, or salvation resonate deeply with people searching online.

By building a content-driven website and strategically using the grant, churches can expand their reach far beyond Sunday morning.

SEO, AI, and the Future of Church Marketing

The digital landscape is changing fast. With Google’s AI Overviews now answering many search queries directly, fewer people are clicking through to websites. For churches, this makes content strategy more important than ever.

“Good content still wins,” Jono said. “Whether AI-generated or human-written, Google rewards sites that provide thoughtful, helpful answers.” For churches, this means focusing on practical, biblical content that speaks to real needs in their community.

Lessons from the Trenches of Business

Both Luke and Jono were quick to admit their mistakes.

For Luke, the biggest was hiring too fast, taking on employees before his business could sustain them. For Jono, it was diving into websites and SEO without fully understanding them, learning through trial and error.

Their honesty underscores an important truth: entrepreneurship is messy. But both emphasized that failure is part of the journey, and perseverance often matters more than a perfect business plan.

Creative Side Hustles for Pastors

Pastors and ministry leaders often have more marketable skills than they realize.

Jono shared how he started a DJ and photo booth company, hiring youth pastors and worship leaders to serve at weddings and proms. Their stage presence, comfort with sound systems, and ability to engage people made them natural fits.

Luke, meanwhile, has leaned into podcast production, helping churches launch and manage their shows. Both are examples of how ministry skills—communication, leadership, problem-solving—translate into entrepreneurial ventures.

From web design to coaching, from content creation to event services, pastors have opportunities to create side income streams that complement their ministry instead of distracting from it.

The conversation between Luke and Jono highlights a new reality: bivocational ministry is here to stay. Pastors no longer have to choose between serving the church and providing for their families. By embracing entrepreneurship, leveraging tools like Google Ad Grants, and using their transferable skills, pastors can thrive both spiritually and financially.

The message is clear: you can do ministry, build a business, and serve God faithfully—all at the same time.

🔗 Learn more about Faithworks Marketing: https://faithworksmarketing.com
🔗 Connect with Luke Clayton and explore coaching for bivocational pastors: https://jlukeclayton.com/