Dr. Jeff Stark

Dr. Jeff Stark teaches Missional Theology, focusing on the intersection of the Church and culture. He also teaches courses that address the substantive theological concerns regarding racial reconciliation, peacemaking, biblical-justice, and evangelism in the 21st century. Additionally, Dr. Stark teaches a number of classes in the master’s program and serves as both the Director of Graduate Programming and the Director for the Center of Theological Leadership at Olivet.

After completing his undergraduate studies, Dr. Stark served 4.5 years in the U.S. Army as an Arabic Linguist. While deployed in Macedonia, Jeff became a Jesus follower at age 25. His wife, Angie, was saved one month later at Clarksville First Church of the Nazarene in Clarksville, Tennessee, where they began both their journeys into ministry.

Dr. Stark served on staff at Clarksville First Church of the Nazarene for 7 years, filling multiple associate roles. He served as Lead Pastor of Erin Church of the Nazarene in Tennessee for 5 years. In 2014, Jeff and his family moved to serve in Bridgeway Community Church in Pekin, Illinois. An ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, Dr. Stark also serves as a coach and consultant to leaders, churches and denominational entities throughout the United States. He is the author of The News is Good: Evangelism as a Way of Life through the Foundry Publishing released April 1, 2023.

When not teaching, Dr. Stark enjoys Ohio State football, Peloton, drinking coffee, hiking and traveling with his wife Angie and their sons, Derek and Chance.

Some of his favorite passages of scripture include: 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Colossians 1:15-23