History of STEER, Inc.

Since our founding in 1957, STEER has had four executive directors: Rev. Ed Folden, Rev. LaRue Goetz, Keith Kost, and Beau Bendigo. Their leadership has allowed millions of dollars to be sent to missions.


Rev. Ed Folden was an evangelist, missionary, and pastor. His heart truly was helping farmers and ranchers' partner with missionaries around the world so the lost would be reached for the Gospel. Through this passion bore the three parts of STEER: the Donor, the Farmer/Rancher, and the Missionary. It is why STEER’s brand is a cross on top of a triangle. One thing is certain—the ministry of STEER continues to have a significant impact on reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. Rev. Ed Folden always talked about STEER as being God’s ministry. Our desire remains the same, keeping our eyes and hearts fixed on our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.

In a Timeline

  • 1957 - 1972

    • STEER, Inc., is incorporated in Park River, North Dakota, in 1957.
    • Rev. Ed Folden is our Founder and first Executive Director
    • In 1957, 34 calves were placed with farmers/ranchers.
    • Between 1956 and 1958 the STEER’s Annual Missions Conference starts.
    • Our newsletter Steer Talk started in 1959
    • $2,793.94 was sent to missions in 1959.
    • In 1960, Bill Clack came to STEER’s annual missions conference as the President of Mission Aviation Fellowship, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. After this visit, Bill returned and started Steer Incorporated Austrailia.
    • At the end of the 1971-1972 fiscal year $45,137.02 was sent to missions.

  • 1972 - 1998

    • Rev. LaRue Geotz served as our second Executive Director
    • The number of member mission organizations grew.
    • STEER begins to show stability.
    • Strengthens all parts of STEER: the Donor, the Farmer/Rancher, and the Missionary for a common purpose.
    • Started the STEER Ranch.
    • Started the Dedicated Operations Fund.

  • 1999

    • Rev. Goetz retires, allowing Mr. Keith Kost, who has served the organization since 1984, to be chosen as interim executive director.

  • 2000 - Present

    • Keith Kost serves as third Executive Director.
    • STEER Ranch is dissolved. 
    • Increased percentage to missions from agricultural sales from 70% In 2000 to 90% in 2023.
    • STEER reaches long term financial stability.
    • 14 consecutive years of sending over $1 million dollars to missions.
    • Keith Kost retires end of 2024.
    • Beau Bendigo comes on board as the fourth Executive Director in 2025.

Doctrinal Statement

STEER, Inc. is dedicated to the mission of sharing the Gospel to everyone. With that in mind STEER, Inc. holds the following doctrinal positions.

  • We believe the Bible, consisting of Old and New Testaments, to be the only verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, inerrant, infallible, and authoritative Word of God written.
  • We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
  • We Believe in the deity of Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, His bodily resurrection, and His ascension to the right hand of God the Father where He is now making intercession for us.
  • We believe Jesus Christ’s return is imminent, and will be visible and personal.
  • We believe that Adam, created in the image of God, was tempted by Satan, the Devil, and fell. Because of Adam’s sin all men have guilt imputed, are totally depraved, and need to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit for salvation.
  • We believe salvation consists of the remission of sins, the imputation of Christ’s righteousness and the gift of eternal life received by faith alone, apart from works.
  • We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of everlasting life and blessedness in Heaven; and they that are lost, unto the resurrection of everlasting punishment in Hell.
  • We believe the Church; the body of Christ consists of those who are born again and who are baptized by the Holy Spirit unto Christ at the time of regeneration.
  • We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in Christ.
  • We believe Jesus Christ commanded the Church to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature, baptizing and teaching those who believe.

Financials

Paid To Societies

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Financial Statements

In accordance with STEER’s statement of accountability the following is the balance sheet for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, and June 30, 2022. STEER has been a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability since 1987. This organization requires STEER to maintain the highest level of integrity with its financial records. This includes an annual audit by an Independent Certified Public Accounting Firm.

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Board of Directors

STEER, Inc. is governed by a 15-member board with a collective background of experience in farming, ranching and business. The board members are from the Dakotas’ and strive to lead STEER in a way honorable to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Executive Committee

Chair

Randy Hauck

Vice-Chair

Rod Zimmerman

Secretary

Doug Schelhaas

Treasurer

Bruce Schauer

Directors

Ramon Barnes

Beau Bendigo

Kris Bogar

Kurtis Countess

Justin Deckert
Jerrod MacDonald

Brent Petersen
Jim Sailer

Arlyn Scherbenske

Jeffrey Sleep
Ian Zimmerman


Area Representatives

The Area Representatives for STEER, Inc. work hard to deliver livestock to farmers and ranchers, develop relationships to carry out the Lord’s work as they are called. Listed below are our current area representatives for the ministry of STEER. Feel free to contact any of our Area Reps for your area at 701-258-4911 or fod@steerinc.org.

Tim Dean

Chickamauga, GA

Tom Stieg

Hammond, MT

Scott Ambo

Beach, ND

Ramon Barnes

Lemmon, SD

Mike Veenstra

Pella, IA

Sam Ortmann

Wolf Point, MT

Rollin Slaubaugh

Wolford, ND

Bruce Brunner

Newell, SD

Donald Pfeifer

Rochester, MN

Mark Pfeifer

Ashley, ND

Greg Nielsen

Gordon, NE

Staff

Ivan Friesen

Acting Executive Director

Karn Lamon

Controller

Paul Singer

Field Operations Director

Esther Grupp

Director of Operations

Lauri Desir

Administrative Assistant

Questions contact us at 701-258-4911 or info@steerinc.org.

Careers

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