[1] Upon returning to Courland he worked as a private tutor in Lielbērstele, a teacher in Jelgava and from 1744 a Lutheran pastor in Linde-Birzgale and later Žeimelis parish.

There, using an innovative approach he made a globe for King of Denmark Frederik V.[1] Stender also became interested in ideas of Freemasonry and became a member of a lodge.

Stender produced didactic tales and idyllic poems meant to educate and uplift the Latvian peasants who were oppressed by serfdom.

He wrote secular poetry ranging from philosophical odes to the grandeur of nature to unpretentious, folksy songs, which widely influenced the literary taste of the nation, and won extreme popularity.

Stender, along with Johann Gottfried Herder, was the first author who analysed dainas, riddles, proverbs and sayings.