Pastor Jeff is from Maryville. He has been married 17 years to Kim, a native of Blount County. They have two children, Sarahbeth (age 14) and Katie (age 12). Kim teaches at John Sevier Elementary School. Jeff’s daughter’s are students in middle and high school.

Jeff graduated from Maryville High School in 1985, Maryville College in 1989, and Liberty University with a graduate degree. Prior to working full-time in the church, Jeff worked at Peninsula Hospital for 7 years.

In 1987, while at Maryville College, Jeff began serving a local church as part-time Student Pastor. He continued this after college while working full-time at Peninsula Hospital until 1995 when he went to serve as full-time Associate Pastor/Student Pastor at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. He served in this role until 2005 when God called him to start Blount Community Church.

Jeff did not attend church his whole life and does not always view things from a traditional church perspective. His relationship with the Lord began in 1984 after a youth retreat. This changed his life and within two years, God led him to do things he never imagined doing like teaching the Bible in Sunday School. “I never planned to be a pastor,” Jeff says. “Heck, I don’t even trust lots of church leaders. I’m not sure why God told me to do this (start Blount Church), but I’m sure He has. The main thing God wants Blount Church to do is reach people who wouldn’t go to a traditional church. God did not tell me to copy effective traditional churches in our area. We have some great churches. We are called to reach the other 60% of our population who doesn’t go to church.”

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