Pastor
First Presbyterian Church | Wilmette
Projects and Work
Jeff grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he learned to cheer for the Twins and Vikings and ate way too many casseroles. Growing up, he attended a Baptist church with his family, but had a theological metamorphosis of sorts after college, eventually finding his way to the Presbyterian fold, where he felt he could love God with all his heart and all his mind. A few years later, he sensed God’s call to pursue pastoral ministry. He ended up at the University of Chicago Divinity School, where he studied with a diverse and gifted group of students. After graduating, he served Highland Park Presbyterian Church (in Illinois) and then was called to First Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Both Jeff and Arianne, his spouse and a fellow Presbyterian minister, had the opportunity to serve that congregation together. They have a daughter, Eden, and a son, Simon. Jeff’s greatest joy in ministry is helping people be “fully alive” to the God who loves them and longs to see them flourish. He strives to “equip the saints” as together we bless our neighbors and share the light and life and love of God with them. In his free time, he enjoys reading, exercising, writing and the gratification of yard-work. For him, an evening of food and drinks and good conversation is a little slice of heaven.
Available for
Comment/Consultation on
Fundraising and stewardship
Theology in Real Life
New Testament Studies
Writings
Rekindling the Gift blog