Zeke is an author, freelance outdoor writer, and pastor. His first book, Man on the Run: Helping Hyper-Hobbied Men Recognize The Best Things, was published with Howard Books (Simon & Schuster’s Christian imprint) in March of 2012. His second book, In Pursuit: Devotions for Hunters and Fishermen, was published in June 2014 with Baker Books. His third and fourth books, The Wild Man (fable) and Wild Mountain Tribe (14-week guidebook), were published by Wild Mountain Press in 2016. This most-recent project draws from the grandeur of myth to take men—young and old—on a journey to the Wild Mountain, the place of masculinity. Each character and narrative detail is intentionally crafted to cast a vision for how boys can become good men. The Wild Mountain Tribe guidebook helps men—young and old—hold important discussions about what strong, faithful, courageous masculinity looks like today. Zeke is represented by literary agent Don Pape at Pape Commons.
Zeke has contributed to several national outdoor magazines, including Field & Stream, Deer & Deer Hunting, Petersen’s Bowhunting, Bow & Arrow Hunting, Bowhunting World, and Bowhunter. He writes and speaks regularly on subjects such as masculinity, men imitating boys into manhood, and the life of the sportsman.
Zeke is the senior pastor at Heartland Evangelical Free Church in Central City, Nebraska. He’s been married to Jamie since 1997, and they have three children. He earned his Master of Divinity from Talbot School of Theology and his Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
One of Zeke’s passions is cooking/smoking/grilling meat! Out of that love, Zeke created Fat Pants Seasoning. Fat Pants is a proprietary blend of tasty spices made for the serious chef, but it’s light-hearted enough that kids love it! Fat Pants was first designed to be a rib rub, but is excellent on burgers, fish, eggs, sweet corn, fries, veggies, and much, much more!
The Piphers live on an acreage in central Nebraska (affectionately named The Briar Patch), a mile from the Platte River—the perfect place to camp, chop wood, and run their dogs, Ezra & Hazel. Zeke is a huge Husker fan and maintains that the 1971 football team is the best college team of all time.
To watch the book trailer for The Wild Man & Wild Mountain Tribe, see video below:
A Kind Word about The Wild Mountain & Wild Mountain Tribe:
“This message could change the world! I say that because after spending my life serving the world’s most vulnerable populations, I’ve observed that most pain and suffering can be laid at the feet of men. If they would just step up to be faithful husbands, loving fathers, and dedicated providers, most of this world’s hurts could be eradicated. Our ever-shifting cultural definitions of masculinity muddle what it means to be and act like a man, to the point where men can feel they are losing the liberty, and even the instinct, to be themselves—the masculine human beings God created them to be. Zeke offers that being a ‘real man’ is an inside-out issue—it’s not based on appearances, or even performance; it can’t always be seen or measured. It involves what’s going on inside a man’s heart, evidenced by his striving to reflect the character and example of Christ. A man never stands so tall as when he stoops to serve others.”
- Dr. Wess Stafford, President Emeritus, Compassion International Author of Too Small to Ignore and Just a Minute
