Posted on 01/08/2023 11:45:25 AM PST by nickcarraway
A Yakima pastor is picking up a side hustle to combat rising inflation and help his son pay for legal documentation.
Misael Hernandez has been working as a pastor at New Life Bible church for four years now.
Just recently, he decided to become a driver for Uber trying to keep up with rising costs, saying he just wants to support his wife and two kids.
Four years ago, Misael, his wife and two kids took a leap of faith, leaving behind everything they knew.
They traveled thousands of miles away hoping for better opportunities and new beginnings.
Misael has been passionate about missionary work for most of his life.
But like many across the nation, his current income is enough to make ends meet but nothing extra.
“I’m able to make some extra money, which is perfect—you know, everyone needs extra money,” Hernandez said.
According to a recent report, two thirds of workers say their pay isn’t keeping up with rising prices.
Though wages are rising, they’ve been consistent with an inflation rate of about 4.5% and right now, inflation stands at 7.1%.
This is forcing many like Misael to turn to side hustles like Uber.
“I started doing Uber back in October when I was able to get my work permit to do something else besides pastoring. So, I was looking for something easy to do,” Hernandez said.
Officials at Uber say they’ve seen a 30 percent increase of Uber drivers this past year.
And for a man who wears many hats, preaching the word and helping many throughout the community juggling his full-time job and ubering ten hours a week, can be straining.
“Sometimes the weeks are very full of activities and then driving Friday night and Saturday night is very tiring,” Hernandez said.
But he doesn’t let that tiredness make him forget his mission.
For Misael, Uber driving is giving him a chance to help his son pay for legal documents since he’s marrying an American citizen.
It will also give him the opportunity to support other family members.
“I can help my mom back in Mexico, I can help my daughter, she’s going to Korea and will need some financial help,” Hernandez said.
Misael says though he started driving for Uber only to help his son initially, he thinks he will continue driving so he can help pay for upgrades at his church, New Life Bible.
Many pastors are bivocational now and it is becoming less common for churches to employ them full time.
What you get in cash (after taxes) is given away as:
Depreciation of the vehicle
cost of insurance, fuel, oil, tires and general maintenance.
As well as the possibility of getting robbed or worse.
A friend of mine is looking for a bivocational opportunity right now. He doesn’t need the job but he does need to get out of the rarified church environment
“A Yakima pastor...”
Sort of like a Methodist or Baptist pastor?
The apostle Paul was a tent maker. This is nothing new.
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