Jeff was born in Denver and grew up in the foothills near Golden, Colorado. He attended the Church of the Hills in Evergreen, from birth until high school graduation. Jeff attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins where he became actively involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and his interest in ministry began. After graduating in 1993 with a major in English and a minor in Philosophy (he wanted to be totally unemployable), Jeff joined the InterVarsity staff. This new job brought him to Flagstaff, Arizona where he ministered to and with students at Northern Arizona University for over six years.
Jeff met Angela in Flagstaff, where she earned her degree in vocal music education from NAU. During her years in college, she was involved in spiritual leadership with InterVarsity as a Bible study leader, faith mentor, and worship team leader. Just before she graduated, her four-year friendship with Jeff became something more and they were married January 2, 1999.
Jeff sensed God was leading him into ministry with the church, so in August of 1999 the newlyweds moved to Bellingham, Washington. Here, Angela worked as a high school choir director and Jeff commuted to Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia to finish his Master of Divinity. In addition to his studies Jeff served First Presbyterian Church in Bellingham as an elder and he worked as the youth director and custodian. At the same time, Angela completed her Master of Art in Choral Conducting from Western Washington University.
In May of 2005, Jeff started his first call as the Associate Pastor for Adult Discipleship and Outreach at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. During his time at Covenant, he oversaw all adult activities including classes, small groups, men’s and women’s ministries, and mission activities. He taught classes, preached on a regular basis, and played a significant role in transforming the church to become more outwardly-focused. At Covenant, Angela was involved in an ongoing class on spiritual disciplines and was a leader with the praise team on Sunday mornings. Vocationally, she was a choir director for the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale and established and maintained a voice studio where she taught private lessons to high school and college-aged students.
Then in 2012, Jeff and his family moved to Rapid City, South Dakota where Jeff has worked as the Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church for seven years. There, Jeff helped to stabilize a congregation that had experienced conflict for years. Along with an external consultant, he led the congregation through an extensive visioning process. One result of this vision time was a mission statement Jeff is rather fond of: “Seeking Christ and Serving Others Until All Things Are Made New.” Another outcome was the implementation of several focus areas that involved hiring staff and guiding the congregation as they navigated important changes. These changes have begun to bear fruit and the congregation has grown in many ways. Outreach has expanded through partnering with an organization called Love INC (In the Name of Christ) that helps churches collaborate to have a broader impact than they could on their own. Additionally, partnerships with other downtown pastors, another Presbyterian church in town, and the community have been priorities of Jeff’s ministry. Jeff is passionate about collaborative ministry—empowering officers, staff, and other leaders to use and grow in their gifts. Recently, Jeff began serving on the board of directors of Westhills Village, a retirement community that is closely connected to the congregation. Through weekly preaching and worship service leadership, Jeff has also grown proficient in crafting worship experiences that help others encounter God’s love. Jeff values being relational, approachable, and doing life and ministry together.
During the family’s time in Rapid City, Angela has used her gift of teaching and mentoring as a choral music teacher, helping many students to reach higher levels of excellence. At church, her biggest role was being a support to Jeff as lead pastor. Additionally, she has led Bible study and been involved in the music ministry as a leader in the choir, praise team, and as a regular soloist.
In 2006, while ministering at Covenant, Jeff and Angela’s family expanded as they welcomed twins, Caleb and Carissa, into the world. Of course, Angela did all the heavy lifting, but Jeff would like to think that once they were born, he pulled his weight, changing his share of diapers and taking the late-night shift for feedings. The twins are now 12 years old and will be starting seventh grade. They have grown into amazing children of God. Caleb loves reading, games (don’t let him talk you into Monopoly), football, basketball, and throwing (shot put and discus). And, he is becoming quite the cellist. Carissa also loves to read, play games, and all things art. She is a wonderful pianist, beautiful dancer, and the best "dog mom."
Angela and Jeff enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, camping, and the outdoors in general. Jeff also likes to read, write, theologize, and to help people grow in their faith. More recently, fly fishing has become a favorite pastime. Angela enjoys cooking, home decor, coming alongside others, and many musical endeavors. They both like to entertain people in their home and build community through hospitality.
Most importantly, Jeff is a beloved child of God and by faith he endeavors to live his life in response to that love. Jeff believes that ministry and the life of faith are all about relationships.
Jeff returned to Covenant as senior pastor in October 2019 and is looking forward to getting to know the family of Covenant and doing life and ministry alongside them.
Email Jeff at pastor@covenant-pres.org.