When Pastor Greg Kalyvas stepped into Open Door Assembly in Marshall, as an interim pastor in September 2024, he wasn’t looking to make waves—just to bring clarity, calm, and Christ-centered structure. But in just a few months, what began as a season of transition has grown into something vibrant and unmistakably Spirit-led.
Greg’s call to ministry began decades earlier in Milwaukee. As a brand-new Christian, he attended a local AG church when a Sunday altar moment gave him a sense of direction for the first time. “I had this thought about going into ministry, and it got confirmed,” he recalls. It was soon after that he met his new wife, Joanna, who was attending North Central University. Greg followed, and a financial miracle made the move possible.
After marrying in 1981, Greg and Joanna served in churches across the Midwest, including New Prague, Red Wing, and Black River Falls, WI. For more than 12 years now, Greg has specialized in interim pastoring, a unique ministry that helps churches navigate pastoral transitions with intentionality.
His method is structured and pastoral: orientation with the board, creation of a church and community profile, confrontation of unresolved issues, and preparation of the congregation for a healthy handoff. “You don’t want to leave a mess for the next pastor,” Greg says. “You want to do less—but do it better.”
At Open Door, the results speak for themselves. In seven months, average attendance rose from 75 to over 100, with Easter services drawing 163 people. Four individuals were baptized, and the church’s finances grew significantly. Midweek men’s ministry grew to about 25 participants. “There are so many good things happening,” he says.
Much of the church’s congregation comes from addiction recovery backgrounds—approximately 40%, according to Greg. Their hunger for God is palpable. “They’re on fire. You don’t have to say much on Sunday morning to get them going,” he says. But with zeal comes the need for guidance. Greg made structural improvements, added prayer teams during worship, and helped the staff grow into their roles.
Greg believes this intentional, system-based interim ministry has a long-term impact. “Transition is such a vital time in a church’s history,” he explains. “When a new pastor comes, they want to hit the ground running. Why not prepare well now?”
As Open Door Assembly prepares for its next season, it does so on a stronger foundation, thanks to the thoughtful, Spirit-filled leadership of an interim who sees every transition as an opportunity for transformation.
