pastors on purpose
MAY 2020 POPS
This month's POPS is presented as a virtual conversation between Jeff Stark and Pastor Brandon Arbuckle about mental health in the crisis.
Dr. Jeff Stark became a Jesus follower at age 25 in Macedonia. While deployed with the U.S. Army, Jeff was met by God in a powerful way, calling him from addictions and destructive life choices. His life was changed. One month later, his wife, Angie, was saved at Clarksville First Church of the Nazarene. There Jeff and Angie began their journeys and ministries with Jesus. Jeff served on staff at Clarksville First for about seven years, filling multiple associate roles. Called to Erin, TN in October 2009, Jeff and Angie served a great church for nearly five years.
Bridgeway Community Church of Pekin, IL welcomed Jeff, Angie, and their two sons, Derek and Chance in July 2014. Jeff committed himself to the passionate strategy of missional multiplication and church planting, Bridgeway's vision to "Ignite a Movement of Culturally Relevant, Radically Loving, Rapidly Reproducing Churches Spreading Hope throughout the World."
Jeff also serves as Associate Professor of Theology at Olivet Nazarene University. He earned a D.M. in Missional Theology and Spiritual Formation from Lipscomb University (2018), a M.A. in Theological Studies from Vanderbilt Divinity School (2010), a M.A. in Religion from Trevecca Nazarene University (2006), and B.A. in English Literature from Otterbein University (1998). He served in the U.S. Army as an Arabic Linguist.
The Chicago Central District has established a partnership with Dr. Jeff Stark to assist us in the launch of pastoral cohorts and innovative learning. We are excited about and look forward to our partnership with Dr. Stark and the Center for Theological Leadership in the days ahead.