BROWNTOWN - The Rev. Steve Hale, the new pastor at Peace United Church of Christ, says he felt God called him to the Browntown church.

It's been his love of music and the ministry that has guided his life.

At 16, he was minister of music at a church in Michigan. He's an accomplished song writer, having written more than 30 songs and earning three gold records as a music producer. The production companies where he worked for several years worked with county music artists such as Ronnie Milsap, Barbara Mandrell and Crystal Gayle. In 1996, Hale was nominated for three Dove awards, an award that recognizes outstanding artists in Christian music.

He also wrote the music for a Zales Jewelry commercial. He wrote the song, "Tell her you love her with diamonds." He said, with a smile, that people still tell him they remember the commercial.

He continues to play the piano, the guitar and the banjo.

But music and the recognition he received wasn't all he was looking for in his life. His work in the ministry is what's given him the most enjoyment in his life, he said.

Before he and his wife, Jan, moved to Browntown earlier this month, they worked at a substance abuse rehabilitation center in Tennessee. It was an important but difficult job - and one they say helped prepare them for their next calling in Wisconsin.

"We were working with people who were having withdrawals from cocaine and heroin," he said. "We would hold them and cry with them and pray with them."

The work took an emotional toll on the pastor and his wife, but it was also rewarding.

"Those who made it through rehab would thank us for everything we did," he said. "They appreciated it, and we were able to see a change in their lives."

But the experience also showed him there was something more he was called to do. Though Hale said it was vital to help people who were hurting due to their life decisions, he still wanted to work with a local congregation.

And in doing so, he is helping people avoid making the wrong decisions.

"If we do the family ministry right today, we might not have to hold them as they withdraw from cocaine," he said. "If we help them today, we can help them go on to college, get married and continue to walk in the light."

Hale said he used to view local church ministry as an easier path to follow. Church pastors preached a sermon or two every week, he figured, and didn't have to deal with serious problems. Yet, he said, he eventually began to realize that leading a congregation was just as important in God's eyes as working with addicts.

"What's wrong with wanting to keep families together?" he said. "This is just as important as any other job in the ministry."

Hale said his wife first felt the call to go to a local church. Then Hale learned that Peace United Church of Christ was looking for a pastor. A visit to the church's website also helped seal his decision to pursue the Browntown job.

"They have a faithful and wonderful congregation," he said. "They appeared to be a fun, loving group that believed in the word of God."

His first Sunday at the church was Sept. 19. Despite his short tenure there, Hale is already comfortable leading the congregation.

"I prayed that I would be worthy to be here," Hale said. "I know this is where I'm meant to be."