Until I was somewhere around 8 years of age, I attended Fredericksburg UMC in Fredericksburg, Indiana with my parents. I have fond memories of learning hymns and the Lord’s prayer in that little church, as well as helping Papaw clean the church bus, VBS, youth group, and a sweet little elderly lady named Phyllis Goldsberry who loved to show us how to roller skate. At the age of 8 years, mom, dad, and both sets of my grandparents (who had come to Christ during the move of God in the 70s around the time of the Asbury Revival) decided to change to a local Southern Baptist Church, as they felt the United Methodist Church was in the process of becoming liberal. I came to faith in Christ at this little Baptist church at the age of 10 and was baptized. There, and through the witness of a Christian church I often attended with my school best friend, JD, I grew in my faith in Jesus.
As I grew in my relationship with Christ, I petitioned Mom and Dad to allow me to attend a Christian high school about 30 minutes from our home. I started at Graceland Christian (now defunct) in New Albany, Indiana, in my sophomore year of high school. I began preaching in 1995 at the age of 16 when my high school Bible teacher, Mr. Parkhill, unexpectedly invited me to do so in his little country Methodist church in Crawford County, Indiana. That May Sunday night for this awkward, nervous teenager has turned into a life-long passion, as the fire in my bones to preach the Good News of the Christ who lived for us, died for us, and raised to give us new life has not gone away.
Almost 3 decades have passed since then, and my life has changed very much through the years. For many years, like so many others who sense a call to ministry, I pursued "full-time" ministry (or what I would now call "fully-funded" ministry - since ALL Christians live a life of ministry). That pursuit, and the one toward "working out" my own salvation as the Scriptures say, led me into some very exciting and some not-so-very-exciting, unexpected experiences. All of those experiences have been used of the Lord in the process of making me into a man who cannot help but trust Jesus for every bit of my salvation and any kind of Christian life-change.
My life is simpler now than when I looked for my identity in ministry and things other than the person of Jesus. I have the loveliest wife a guy could ever dream of in Michele. We are surrounded by 5 (mostly) grown children and their significant others. We are blessed by a small but vibrant church family. God has blessed me in a way I never would have expected with a career as a nurse educator. Problems still arise in this life, but God is ALWAYS faithful through them.
I continue to preach and speak in various churches when I have the opportunity or am not teaching at the house church. I have a heart for smaller churches (especially house churches, as well as churches seeking to leave liberalism and embrace the Scriptures), and because I have another career, I can bless and encourage them without being a financial burden. My wife Michele and I lead a simple, micro/house church (affectionately called "Church") with a wonderful group of friends, family, and like-minded misfits in Bullitt County, Kentucky. I am a textual, expositional Bible teacher, but my sermons are not dry (at least I don't think so!) or like a school history lesson. I seek the Holy Spirit in preparation and delivery, and the Lord seems to continue to be gracious to me and those who hear me preach.
I desire to use the second half of my life to train younger folks in ministry, specifically low-cost ministry such as I am currently taking part in with planting a house church. I have many years of experience in bivocational ministry, as well as 8 years of leading a former UCC church to love God's Word and reach out with the love of Christ to neighbor.
I would love the opportunity to partner with some new friends in expanding the Kingdom of God, so reach out and let's talk about it! I would love to come speak at your church or event if I am able, so drop me a line to see if I am available!
After preaching and being in local church ministry for nearly 3 decades and on pastoral staff at churches for over 20+ years of that, Jeff wants to help you avoid some of the mistakes he has made along the way and maybe even find a healthier way of being the church.
Jeff and his wife Michele lead a simple, small church (affectionately called "Church") with a wonderful group of friends, family, and like-minded misfits in Bullitt County, Kentucky. (Reach out if you are interested in attending one of our Sunday morning gatherings!)
Jeff can help you get a simple church started and train your leaders. He will provide resources, as well as consult via video meetings, phone calls, and in-person.
Jeff is also available on a limited basis to consult with local churches on simple revitalization and leadership.
Mind & Soul is guided by the philosophy that in essentials there is unity, in nonessentials there is freedom, and in all things there is love.
Mind & Soul affirms the Bible as the inspired Word of God and the sole basis for our beliefs. We believe the essentials of the faith include the deity of Jesus Christ, God’s love demonstrated to us through the atoning sacrifice and resurrection of His Son, and the justification of sinners by grace through faith. We affirm the truths included in The Apostles Creed.
A more specific statement detailing essential beliefs and convictions can be found below:
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