Jeff

Jeff was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. He earned a B.A. in Communications from Cedarville University in 1985, an M.A. in Religious Education from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1995, and an M.Div. from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, in 2011. He was ordained in 1993 and became an Elder in Full Connection with The United Methodist Church, West Ohio Conference, in 2012. In 2019, Jeff transferred to the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference, where he served in the Seattle area until retiring in March 2025. After retirement, he returned to the Dayton area to be closer to family.
Throughout his ministry, Jeff has loved serving in a pastoral role, building relationships, and connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds. He is especially passionate about social justice work in the life of the church and the wider community. Jeff is the proud father of three adult children—Bethany, Scott, and Bryant—and grandfather to Georgia. For the past eight years, he has also enjoyed the faithful companionship of Wesley, his black lab mix rescue—named, of course, after John Wesley. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys traveling, landscape photography, baking, and theatre. A self-described karaoke enthusiast, he especially enjoys unwinding at a good karaoke venue and singing a few show tunes. He looks forward to joining the team at Linworth, building new relationships, and sharing in ministry together.