Jackie David Johns, Editor
Professor of Discipleship and Christian Formation - PTS
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Dr. Johns has taught at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary since 1985. He became a full-time member of the faculty in 1995. In addition to his faculty role he has served the school as Director of Institutional Research, Director of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness, and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program. He and his wife, Cheryl Bridges Johns, co-founded and co-pastored the New Covenant Church of God from January 1989 until January 2016. He also served as pastor to congregations in North Dakota and Kentucky as well as Minister of Education for churches in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
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Student Contributors - 2018
Romaine M. Denis, Contributor
Romaine Denis is an ordained minister in the Church of God. She is married to her wonderful husband Bishop Peterson Denis. They have a son, Seth Denis. They live in NJ. Together with her husband, they are music coordinators for Church of God NY Metro/Long Island. Romaine is majoring in the Master of Divinity program at PTS. Romaine has a passion for community outreach. She is passionate about serving her community. Her acts of kindness also extend outside of her community and include acts of kindness at her workplace and people in general. Curently, she serves as CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for the Passaic county in NJ.
Christina Jarman, Contributor
Christina was born in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1995. She comes from a pastoral family. She has an older half-sister, Stephanie, and a younger brother, Jonathan. Stephanie is twelve years older than Christina. Stephanie has a daughter, Mikaylah, who was raised almost as a younger sister to Christina and Jonathan. Christina graduated from high school in 2013. She was involved in softball, marching band, and golf. She graduated with high honors and went to attend Lee University.
During high school, Christina was involved in youth ministry. She worked at church youth camps during the summer and was president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in high school. During college, she continued using her musical gifts on the clarinet in music ministry with the Symphonic Band. Here, she gained another family. She traveled on missions trip with Symphonic Band throughout the United States and in Hungary and the Philippines.
Christina graduated from Lee University with Magna Cum Laude honors. She earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary and Middle Grades Education, with a TESOL minor. Christina's passion is youth. During college, she taught at the Early Learning Center. Upon graduation, she taught seventh grade English at a middle school. Christina is very proud of her younger brother, Jonathan, who is in the latter half of his time at Lee University. He is a music performance major on the tuba and can play pretty much any instrument.
Christina is majoring in the Master of Arts Counseling degree program at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Upon completion, she hopes to pursue a Masters in Mental Clinical Health from the Seminary. She hopes to pursue an education specialist degree in School Psychology and School Counseling (Dual Licensure) leading to a doctorate in Applied Behavior Analysis and Literacy. She hopes to integrate counseling and education together. She wants to take these skills to the mission field someday. Christina enjoys writing in her spare time, and hopes to publish books to help young adolescents. She also enjoys taekwondo.
During high school, Christina was involved in youth ministry. She worked at church youth camps during the summer and was president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in high school. During college, she continued using her musical gifts on the clarinet in music ministry with the Symphonic Band. Here, she gained another family. She traveled on missions trip with Symphonic Band throughout the United States and in Hungary and the Philippines.
Christina graduated from Lee University with Magna Cum Laude honors. She earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary and Middle Grades Education, with a TESOL minor. Christina's passion is youth. During college, she taught at the Early Learning Center. Upon graduation, she taught seventh grade English at a middle school. Christina is very proud of her younger brother, Jonathan, who is in the latter half of his time at Lee University. He is a music performance major on the tuba and can play pretty much any instrument.
Christina is majoring in the Master of Arts Counseling degree program at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Upon completion, she hopes to pursue a Masters in Mental Clinical Health from the Seminary. She hopes to pursue an education specialist degree in School Psychology and School Counseling (Dual Licensure) leading to a doctorate in Applied Behavior Analysis and Literacy. She hopes to integrate counseling and education together. She wants to take these skills to the mission field someday. Christina enjoys writing in her spare time, and hopes to publish books to help young adolescents. She also enjoys taekwondo.
David Ashley Williams, Contributor |
Ashley Williams has been married to his wife, Tiffany, for 19 years. They have three boys, Dawson 14, Xander 12, and Jacob10. The couple currently has a foster baby girl, Debra, who is 16 months. They are planning for long term placement.
The Williams family lives in Walhalla South Carolina, located in Oconee County which is at the top corner of the state, right beside the Clemson Tigers. Ashley is in his third year at Pentecostal Theological Seminary working on his Master of Art Mental Clinical Health Counseling. He earned his Bachelors in Pastoral Studies at Holmes Bible College located in Greenville South Carolina. Ashley, along with his wife, Tiffany, are the directors of Christ Central Ministries Oconee (CCMO). Christ Central Ministries Oconee is a mission station that helps Oconee County in benevolent needs. CCMO focuses on homeless ministry, feeding programs, GED tutoring, men's in-house drug recovery program and recovery support programs for families dealing with addiction. CCMO has also been given the opportunity to use a county facility to begin an emergency homeless shelter, expand bed space for men's recovery program, begin a women's recovery program and start transitional housing for individuals coming out of incarceration. Ashley feels being equipped and trained to work with individuals and families is important. Most importantly while working with individuals through times of need, being sensitive to God's guidance is crucial. Ashley believes this is where the individual will find their healing. After Seminary God only knows the plans He has for Ashley and his family. Ashley would like to focus on his training in drug addiction counseling and family therapy. He feels helping the whole family through addiction needs is something Oconee County is longing for. His understanding is addiction doesn't just effect the addict it effects the whole family. |
Kadene Hinkson, Contributor
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Joseph Grey, Contributor
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Joseph Grey is man of God who strives for excellence in every area of his life. He was raised in Brooklyn New York. He has a profound love for the Lord and also for the entire body of Christ. Moreover, he has a passion for the youth of America. He is third generation of ministers with in his family which stems over 50 years of ministry. He is an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God and is recognized in the international offices located in Cleveland Tennessee.
For the past 18 years, Joseph has been married to Shaundrika Grey. They are the proud parents of two children Zion and Genesis. Over the years Joseph has served the church in various capacities at the Classon ave Church of God and also on the state and district level. He has served as a musician, church van driver, Sunday school teacher, praise and worship singer, District youth director of 11 churches. Joseph is an educator and has a Bachelors in education and currently attends Graduate School at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary for clinical and Mental health Counseling. He also works as a life skills coach through the department of probations. In which, he helps juveniles and inner city youth with employment training GED programs and becoming acclimated back into society. Joseph played a key role in the Big Brother Big sister organization in Westchester County, where many youth lacked direct intervention in their homes. He also worked intensively with the Fatherhood initiative program of NYC. He worked with Fathers between the ages of 16-45 that have been incarcerated. His job there was to assist men in becoming better fathers to their families and play an active role in the lives of their children and their communities. One of the quotes that Joseph lives by from Dr.Cornel West states, "You can't lead the people if you don’t love the people. You can’t save the people if you don’t serve the people.” |
Recordio A. Cole |
I am Recordio Alexander Cole, the fourth of five children. I am from Jamaica, where I lived in the parish of Clarendon. I am married to my best friend, my beautiful wife Cameile for over six years, and we have two lovely children, girl (Nahalia) and a boy (Recordio Jr). Recordio have been a teacher most of his life, and presently holds a Bachelors of Education, and Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. I am presently pursuing a Master in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling at The Pentecostal Theological Seminary. I worship at Eastchester Church God where I serve as Associate Minister, and I am also involved in teaching Adult Sunday School and look forward to doing this every Sunday. As part of my ministerial goal, I hope to start an outreach ministry within my local community. My plan for ministry will be in the form of marriage and family counseling. The development of such ministry will help local church members, and community members, better understand each partner’s roles in the marriage, and also to help individuals live and develop holistic marriages.
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Student Contributors 2014-2016
Jeff McAffee, ContributorJeff McAffee has been married to Kendra for twenty-one years. Together, they have three children: Ethan (16), Anna (11), and Ella (8). Ethan has a black belt in Kung Fu, a car, and a job. The girls spend their time dancing, singing, twirling, and talking. A great dane named Abbie rounds out the McAffee household, spending her days moving from one napping spot to another. The McAffee family lives in Glendale, AZ (a suburb of Phoenix), where the sun never stops shining and where you never have to shovel snow.
Don Steffy, ContributorDon has been married to Marcy for sixteen years and is the father of five beautiful children. Born and raised in Eastern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Don was a police officer before answering the call to pastoral ministry.
Don is the Lead Pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Great Falls, Montana. Prior to moving to Montana in 2010, the Steffy’s pastored in Lancaster, PA. Don is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God (Cleveland, TN). He has earned his B.S. in Pastoral Leadership and Biblical Studies from Lee University, his Masters of Divinity from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary (PTS) and is currently a Doctor of Ministry student at PTS.
Marva C. Williams grew up in the foothills of East Tennessee, and is at least the fourth generation Pentecostal in her family. Her paternal great grandmother was an ordained pastor, and her maternal grandmother was an ordained minister. Her father taught Sunday School and was the Department President of the Young People’s Willing Workers (YPWW) for the East Tennessee Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ. Marva’s childhood was heavily influenced by this level of activity working with youth, teens and young adults. She delivered her first message of the Gospel at the age of 22 years old. In addition to academic training for ministry, Marva served on the ministerial staff of a church in Riverdale, GA, and over the years has work in various areas of ministry including the hospitality, worship, evangelism and outreach, and has been a gospel radio station program director and on air personality and has written two books. She also provided logistical and administrative support to a non-profit leadership academy that was founded and lead by her father for over a decade, until his passing in 2014.
Marva is a graduate of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she majored in Religious Studies and Spanish, and was a member of Love United Gospel Choir. Marva earned a Master of Divinity from the C. H. Mason Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA, where she was elected as the Vice President of the C. H. Mason student fellowship two consecutive years. She received the O. T. Jones Fellowship Award and the Mattie McGlothen Women’s Leadership Award. Marva has completed both an internship and a residency in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). Currently, she is soon to complete a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, TN. Hobbies: singing, writing, traveling, photography, swimming, and cooking |
Teresa Durstine, Contributor
Teresa is married to Bill Durstine who is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God. They have 3 wonderful children, Jeremiah, Joshua, and Jessica. Teresa grew up amongst the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania. She has worked along with her husband in ministry in the states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana. Teresa and Bill currently minister at the Meyersdale Church of God (Cleveland, TN), where Bill is the Senior Pastor. Teresa has earned an Exhorter’s License with the Church of God (Cleveland, TN), and is currently preparing to become an Ordained Minister. Teresa graduated from Lee University in May 2014, in which she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Leadership with an emphasis in Counseling. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary (PTS) in Cleveland, TN after which she will pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania. Hobbies include: hiking, biking, scrapbooking, cooking & traveling Marcy Steffy, ContributorMarcy is married to Don Steffy, and together they have five amazing children. Don and Marcy have been involved in Pastoral ministry since 2005, and currently minister at Vintage Faith Church in Great Falls, MT. Marcy has an Associates Degree in Nursing from Alvernia University in Reading, PA, and has been an RN for the past 21 years. Marcy also graduated from Lee University in 2014 with a Bachelors in Church Leadership with an emphasis in Christian Counseling. She is currently working towards her Masters of Arts in Counseling through the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Marcy is a typical busy wife and mom with the four youngest children still at home (including two with special needs), working full time as a nurse, and assisting in all aspects of ministry at the church.
Marcy's Contributions can be found under Physical Challenges of the Special Needs Children section. Patricia Martinez, ContributerPatricia Martinez has been married to her husband, Larry Martinez for fifteen years and is the mother of four adult children and a 7-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier and 2-year-old Labrabull. Patricia and Larry have been pastoring in North Ridgeville, Ohio for two years. Patricia has been playing multiple instruments as well as sings and writes songs. She is the Praise and Worship pastor at their church, The River Church of God and holds an Ordained minister’s license in the Church of God. In 2014 Patricia graduated from Lee University, with a Bachelor’s degree in counseling. Patricia is pursuing her Master’s degree in Mental Health Clinical Counseling at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. |
Sandy-Joy Basdeo, ContributorBorn into the melting pot society of the beautiful twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Sandy-Joy Basdeo was an unexpected fifth child for her Indo-Trinidadian parents who are ministers of the gospel as well as founders and directors of the Operation Smile Home for Children. Following closely in their footsteps, Sandy-Joy was the manager of the Community Residence (Home for Children; 2011-2015) while pursuing her academic studies. She presently has a B.S. in Sociology with minors in Psychology and Gender Studies as well as a post-graduate diploma in Mediation Studies. She is simultaneously pursuing her Masters in Mediation Studies from the University of the West Indies, Trinidad as well as Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, Cleveland Tennessee. The main purpose of her studies is to be a competent advocate and liaison between the Community Residences and the government in Trinidad and Tobago ensuring appropriate policies are implemented and the Homes are well equipped with the necessary resources to holistically care for their children. Sandy-Joy’s vibrant personality and love for ‘her children’ always keeps her seeking new adventures with a river/beach ‘lime’* at the top of her list.
* Synonym for “a gathering” or “to hang out.” |
Chris Knip, Contributer
Chris graduated from high school in Ohio and left for Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee the fall of 1995. At Lee, Chris served as Co-Chair of the Spiritual Life Committee with the Student Government Association, Resident Assistant with Campus Life, played drums with the Evangelistic Black Gospel Choir and was a member of Theta Delta Kappa. Chris traveled the east coast with a Christian rock band until he met his wife Paula. Together they completed the Church of God School of Ministry, earned their ministerial credentials with the Church of God, and completed the Ministerial Internship Program while Chris worked in the manufacturing industry for 6 1/2 years.
Chris has served as a College and Career Director, Young Adult Pastor, and Student Pastor. He has worked with kids, youth groups, and youth camps for over 20 yrs and has been a camp speaker at several camps. He has helped shape various Christian Education Department Programs for the Church of God. Chris does some ministry training and consulting with other churches and organizations and currently serves as the Minister of Children and Families at Westmore Church of God where he is passionately pouring life into the kids and families of Westmore and the greater Bradley County community. Chris holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Church Leadership from Lee University and is completing his Master of Arts in Discipleship and Christian Formation in May 2017. He is an ordained bishop with the Church of God. Some of Pastor Chris’ hobbies include watching his girls Abigayle and Sarah play basketball, playing sports, video games, and occasional background acting and photo double roles in the television and film industry. Some of his roles include “Brooklyn Dodger Fan” in Legendary Pictures 42’ movie about Jackie Robinson starring Harrison Ford and Chadwick Boseman, “party crasher” in March Madness LG appliance commercial featuring Greg Anthony, prison inmate “Leigh Dennis” in ABC’s Nashville season two premier, which aired September 25th, 2013, Sacramento Sheriff’s Department officer “Sanchez” in Focus Features Kill The Messenger movie starring Jeremy Renner which came out in 2014, District 7 lumberjack military rebel in Lionsgate Hunger Games Mocking Jay Part 2 in 2015 starring Jennifer Lawrence, and Photo Double in both Lionsgate films Insurgent (2015) and Allegiant (2016) starring Shailene Woodley and Theo James among other television show appearances. However, Pastor Chris’ favorite roles are his daily roles as Husband to Paula, Daddy to Abigayle and Sarah, and pastor to Westmore High 5 kids and families. |
Amanda Walker, Contributor |
Amanda Walker graduated from International Bible College in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada with a Bachelor of Ministry in 2005. Since then, she has worked in her local church as a Children's Pastor, Youth Leader and Worship Leader. In 2012, Amanda was specifically called to minister to others through Counseling after serving the local homeless shelter in Great Falls, Montana. This calling lead her to pursuing a Masters degree at the seminary.
Amanda, a native Texan, relocated to Montana in 2008. She and her husband, Gary Walker, and their daughter, Madisyn, love to take advantage of the Treasure State's natural beauty by fishing, hunting and camping. She also share a passion for amateur photography, capturing the beauty of the state of Montana. Amanda is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts in Mental Health Professional at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. She is an addictions recovery advocate and works closely with women in recovery at a local shelter. She also spends her time volunteering at a child abuse prevention agency, teaching Parent Stress Training, anger management classes and psycho-educational grief classes at Behavioral Research Institute in Cleveland, TN. |
Thomas L. Mitchell, Contributor |
Pastor Tommy graduated from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in 1992 with a Masters in Christian Ministry with an emphasis in Pastoral Counseling. He has served as Lead Pastor at Mt Vernon Church of God located in Wichita, KS for the past four years. He has been married to his wife Angela for 25 years, and they have two sons, Kyle (22) & Wesley (18). Pastor Tommy has served on state and regional councils in Kansas and in the Heartland Region. He presently serves as the Heartland Region Ministerial Internship Coordinator.
Pastor Tommy's contributions to this website can be found on the "Building A Healthy Family" page. |
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Chris Ondrovich, Contributor |
Chris Ondrovich graduated from Lee University in 2001 with a B.S. in Youth Ministry. He is attending the Pentecostal Seminary for a Masters of Divinity. Chris is currently serving as Associate Pastor of West Minot Church of God in Minot, North Dakota. www.westminot.com He also serves as a Chaplain to the Minot Police Department. He has been married to Christa for 13 years and they have two children Jaden who is 11 and Alyssa who is 9. Chris and Christa have been in full time ministry for over 13 years serving as Youth and Children's Pastors. They continue to watch and believe for great things God is doing in the North Central Region. |
Rex Louth, Contributor |
Rex Louth has been in pastoral ministry since 1981 after completing the Ministerial Internship Program in the Church of God with his wife of over thirty-five years, Janet. His is senior pastor of Peakview Church of God in Colorado Springs where he has served since January, 1989. Rex is attending Pentecostal Theological Seminary where he is pursuing a Master of Divinity with an emphasis in Counseling. He is also author of God Shed His Grace On Thee, a book dealing with the Christian foundations of America and which encourages the reader to find and do their part in God's plan for their lives, including being the citizen He would have them be. Rex and Janet have two daughters, Crystalyn (married to Chris), and Stephanie (married to David) and one son, Joshua. They have two grandchildren, Trinity and Caleb, by their eldest daughter. Pastor Rex contributed to the area of the site entitled "Churches are Living Systems". |
Margarita
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Margarita M. Colón graduated from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in 2000 with a Masters in Discipleship and Christian Formation. She is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Margarita serves, along with her husband, as pastors of the Spanish church “Nuevos Comienzos” in Knoxville, Tennessee; a satellite of the Park West Church of God. Margarita is the worship leader and also serves in the discipleship ministry of the church. She is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Margarita has been married to her husband Melvin for 21 years, and they have two teenage sons, Ishmael and Jesse. |
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Raheel Rizvi, Contributor |
A former Islamic priest who had a dramatic encounter with Christ in 1998, while working in United Arab Emirates. Raheel has been in the ministry since then. Currently, serving as Senior Pastor at Word International Ministries in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Raheel has completed two degrees at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, the Masters of Arts in Church Ministries and the Masters in Counseling. He contributed to the section on Building a Healthy Marriage. |
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