hi, i’m jimmy

I’m a passionate, driven pastor and leader who thrives in fast-paced, mission-focused environments. I believe the church exists to be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus to all people. My desire is to leverage my talents and abilities to position the Church for success in our mission to reach out with unconditional love to all people and lead them to be all-in as disciples of Jesus.

  • Experienced and proven leader in high-capacity, team-based environments.
  • Strong communicator with demonstrated ability to cast vision, recruit people, and develop leaders and teams.
  • Strategic thinker who thrives in creative and innovative spaces.
  • Visionary guide with the ability to see what could be and how to get there.
  • Enthusiastic initiator who is personable and easily connects with people.
  • Passionate coach who believes deeply in the value of serving and equipping others for the work of ministry.

Team Leadership

Proven team-builder, coach, and developer. It energizes me to help people understand their wiring and help them grow by finding their sweet spot as a part of a team.

Communication

Experienced and gifted speaker, writer and communicator. I am passionate about delivering messages to audiences in a clear and understandable way.

Vision-Casting

Visionary leader, with a keen ability to visualize a preferred future, identify key action steps, and rally teams to pursue the vision and achieve the mission.

Strategic Planning

One of my favorite things is guiding teams through the process of developing strategic plans to accomplish mission, vision, and value goals.

Creative Programming

Experienced worship leader, musician, audio technician. I’m a creative thinker, committed to excellence in planning and executing worship services and special events.

Marketing & Design

Well-versed in excellent, clean, effective marketing and communication via online/social and print media streams.

background & experience

Ministry History

Lead Pastor
First Christian Church (Canton, OH)
March 2022 – Present

First Christian Church is a great church with a bold vision to carry the good news that Jesus is for all people to the entire Canton metro area. As the Lead Pastor, my primary focus areas are spiritual leadership, preaching and teaching, vision-casting, and leadership development. I provide vision and guidance for a staff of approximately 130 people working in three key ministry teams: General Ministry, Preschool, and Day Services (Mon-Fri program for adults with disabilities).


Ministry Consultant
The Unstuck Group (Canton, OH)
May 2025 – Present

The Unstuck Group help pastors grow healthy churches by guiding them through experiences to align vision, strategy, team and action. With every tool and consulting process we develop, our priority is to help churches help people meet and follow Jesus.


Executive Pastor
First Christian Church (Canton, OH)
October 2015 – March 2022

First Christian Church is a great church with a bold vision to carry the good news that Jesus is for all people to the entire Canton metro area. As the Executive Pastor, working closely with our then lead pastor, my primary focus areas were staff team oversight (approximately 130 employees) and leadership and strategic planning and execution. I also served as the secondary communicator and provided oversight to the operational teams that led in finance, HR, and facilities, as well as our preschool and adult day services programs.


Student Ministry Pastor
First Christian Church (Canton, OH)
June 2013 – October 2015

First Christian Church is a great church with a bold vision to carry the good news that Jesus is for all people to the entire Canton metro area. As the Student Ministry Pastor, I led a team of two staff and 20+ volunteers and a ministry of 100+ middle and high school students. Some of my responsibilities included preaching and teaching, staff and volunteer management and recruiting, budget preparation and management, event planning, and community/school engagement.


Additional Previous Roles

Outreach and Involvement Minister
First Christian Church (Columbiana, OH)
2008-2013

Student Minister
Covenant Christian Church (Youngstown, OH)
2006-07

Relevant Education

Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Biblical Studies
2003-06

Service Leadership

The Solomon Foundation
Vice Chairman, Board of Directors
2020 – Present


The Unstuck Group
Advisory Team
2023 – 2025


Ohio Teens for Christ
Directional Team
2015-2017


Elkhorn Valley Christian Service Camp
Board of Directors
2008-2011

Certifications

Ministry Ordination
June 2008


Sexual Harassment Training
Ministry Safe
July 2025

personality & wiring

strengthsfinder 2.0

Download my StrengthsFinder 2.0 Insight Guide

Download my Leading From Your Strengths Report

  • Strategic 95% 95%
  • Competition 90% 90%
  • Command 85% 85%
  • Achiever 80% 80%
  • Focus 75% 75%

myers-briggs

INTJ

enneagram

Type 8

disc

D/C

working genius

recent sermons

thank you!

I’m grateful that you’ve taken the time to read over my digital resume. If you have further questions about my strengths and skills, background, experience, or ministry philosophy, I would love to answer them.

My life mission is drawn from Colossians 2:2-3:

“I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery — Christ.”

In short, I have dedicated my life to helping people find hope and live with purpose by preaching and teaching the good news of Jesus. It is the greatest honor of my life to build the Kingdom by serving the church.

I look forward to the opportunity to talk with you about how we might be able to partner together to reach people and lead them to Jesus. I’m praying for you as you conduct your search.

The best is yet to come!

would you like to talk?

I would love to hear from you! Please use the form below to reach out and I’ll be in touch right away.

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