Meet Chase Cheatwood

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chase Cheatwood a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Chase, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

There was a time in my life when I wrestled with my purpose. I tried to find meaning in so many things—mainly baseball. For years, that was my world. I thought if I could just be good enough, successful enough, maybe I’d finally feel fulfilled. Baseball became more than just a sport to me; it became my identity. I thought my life was over when I did not make the high school baseball team the first time I tried out. However, rather than giving up, I continued chasing this dream. I ended up playing in high school, but it was it was an identity that I was wearing that was still leaving me feeling unsatisfied.
After baseball, I kept chasing purpose in other areas. I went to college and earned a degree at Oklahoma Baptist University, believing that education and career success would bring satisfaction. But even after finishing school, I found myself in a field I wasn’t using. I was doing everything I thought would make me happy, but I still felt lost. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” I had plenty of plans, but none of them led me to the peace and joy I was searching for.
Everything changed when I surrendered my life to the Lord. I realized that my purpose wasn’t something I could create for myself—it was something only God could reveal. When I finally laid down my plans and said, “Lord, my life is Yours,” He began to show me why I was really here: to glorify Him. Isaiah 43:7 says that God created us for His glory, and when I understood that truth, everything began to make sense. I began leading mission trips while at OBU. I felt called to ministry and missions, but I did not know where or how to pursue this call. I was in my last semester and a professor challenged me to go all in and pursue what I felt was my purpose. He challenged me to quit pursuing the degree; however, like with baseball I knew believed that I could not quit since I was so close. I soon learned that a piece of paper with a degree or a title after my name would not fill the void.
One of the biggest ways God revealed my purpose was through these mission trips. Serving others, sharing the gospel, and seeing people encounter Christ lit a fire in my heart. It wasn’t about performance or achievement anymore—it was about obedience. Jesus said in Matthew 20:28 that He came “not to be served, but to serve.” Furthermore, he says in Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When I started pursuing Christ and focusing on glorifying him, I found true fulfillment.
Over time, that passion for serving and sharing the gospel grew into a calling to preach. God opened doors and eventually led me to become the pastor of Sequoyah Creek Church. I began as the missions pastor in 2021 and then in 2024 I became the senior pastor. I now believe there is simply nothing else I can do but preach. Standing before my church family each week, preaching the Word and pointing others to Christ’s light, I can honestly say I am walking in the purpose God created me for. Colossians 3:17 reminds me, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
I no longer chase the things I used to think would give me purpose. My joy now comes from glorifying the Lord and helping others find the same hope and freedom that I found in Him. My story is one of surrender—because when I finally let go of my plans, God gave me His. And in His plan, I found everything I had been searching for all along.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am the Senior Pastor of Sequoyah Creek Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. We believe the heart of the local church is centered around biblical preaching. This biblical preaching draws us to worship. We were all created to worship and people worship something no matter what. We either worship ourselves, idols, or the one true God. As the preaching pastor it is my goal to encourage everyone to repent and turn to Christ and become devoted to worshiping Christ alone. As we become devoted to him, we will then become devoted to one another. If we are devoted to the Lord and devoted to one another then we will have the motivation to go and tell others about ways Jesus has changed our lives.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three most important qualities, skills, and or areas of knowledge I have learned along the way include learning how to fail well, loving people, and not worrying about what others think.
I would remind other young pastors to be reminded of the call the Lord has placed on their heart when the first began and to surround yourself with other believers who will encourage you.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

The Bible! The truth in all of Scripture has developed me as a son of God first and foremost. I am reminded of the importance of my relationship and connection with Jesus when he says in John 15:4 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sequoyahcreek.church/