The Zone Gathering

We’re bringing back the Tuesday Spotlight, and we kick it off today with our new church-planter-in-residence extraordinaire, Chris Jarrell!

Chris and his wife, Lora, landed in DC in late May. Chris is serving as point pastor at the Ebenezers location, and he is jumping into all kinds of crazy different projects. The baptism by the bay beach towel– which I think is one of the coolest things we’ve ever done– was the result of Chris’ hard work. Look out for Chris and Lora inNorthern Virginia this fall as they begin to lead a couples group.

It’s great having Chris around. I think he’s more excited about what God is doing in and through NCC than anybody else. Today, we talk to Chris about life, ministry, and soap opera careers.

How long have you attended NCC?

8 Weeks

What brought you to NCC?

The opportunity to learn and gain much needed experience on how to be a successful church planter.

Tell us a little about the small groups and/or ministries that you lead and how that experience has impacted you.

As the point pastor at Ebenezers, I have a huge opportunity to shepherd and serve those at Ebenezers. One of my greatest joys so far is building key relationships with ministry leaders and volunteers. I am in total awe that I am able to follow the call of God for my life.

Where can you be found on Sunday mornings?

I am always at Ebenezers on Saturday nights and I fill the role of the utility player at the Ballston and Union locations as needed.

When did you start following Christ and what have been some of the spiritual turning points in your life?

I start following Christ at the age of 18. My early years was a wild journey. It was through a youth pastor who showed me Christ’s love in action; that is when my life began to turn around. I was in ministry within the first year I made a commitment to Christ. I was a youth leader and led a ministry to inner city kids in Alexandria, VA. My first youth pastorate came at the age of 20.

Tell us a little about your background.

I was born and raised in Alexandria, VA, and I attended the famed T.C. Williams High School. My Biblical and theological education took place through Berean University of the Bible. I also have 13 years of ministry experience in children’s ministry, student ministry, young adult ministry, bible teacher at a Christian high school, associate pastor and leadership roles in the district office.

What is your favorite Scripture passage?

Psalm 84

What are your favorite books?

Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell; by John U. Bacon and Lyn Heward; Cirque Du Soliel: The SparkCommunicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones; The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus

What are your favorite movies?

Nacho Libre; Gladiator; O Brother Where Art Thou; Cars

What is your favorite fast food?

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

What is something that most people at NCC would not know about you?

Before I became a Christ follower, I had two dreams…to be a professional wrestler and to be a soap opera actor.

Tell us a little about your day job. What is your dream job?

Currently, I am the Church Planter in Residence right here at NCC and my dream job is to plant my own community of faith that will be make an impact in the community through the transforming message of God’s Word and His love.

Who is your hero? (besides Jesus or any other member of the Trinity)

Pastor Mike Buckley, he is my father in the ministry and a huge mentor to me. He is also a great friend. His life exemplifies all that a servant should be. Pastor Mike is truly a godly man that I want to follow.

What do you do in your free time?

Hanging with my wife; Reading; Going to the gym; watching reality shows and sitcoms

In NCC:THE MOVIE who would play you? Who would play Pastor Mark?

Kevin James would play me; Pastor Mark would be played by Jack Black

What is your favorite Pastor Markism?

Shout out to all of our podcast listeners.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 24th, 2007 at 9:24 am and is filed under Spotlights, Staff. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.