pastoral staff and leadership

Lead Pastor – Rev. Chris Jones

Chris is the pastor of COF where he has been serving since July of 2015. His main responsibilities are to preach, to lead, and to help people grow in their relationship with Jesus. Chris grew up in Fort Lauderdale and answered a call to pastoral ministry at the age of 16 after experiencing God’s love in a profound way. He is a graduate of Florida Southern College (B.A.), Duke Divinity School (M.Div.), and Asbury Theological Seminary (M.A., Pastoral Counseling).

In addition to pastoring COF, Chris sits on the Board of Ordained Ministry, which evaluates and recommends candidates for pastoral ministry in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. He also serves as the chair of the East Central District Committee on Ordained Ministry.

Chris is blessed to share life with his wife Amanda whom he married in May of 2016. Amanda works at Universal Studios in Orlando.

What is your favorite Scripture verse or passage?

John 8:36: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

What was your childhood ambition?

This changed constantly when I was growing up. One minute I wanted to be President. The next I wanted to be an inventor or a neurosurgeon. However, I felt called to pastoral ministry at 16 and haven’t looked back since then.

What was your first job?

I was the “Bagel Boy” at Chesapeake Bagel on Commercial Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Basically I wore a plastic bagel and waved to cars on the street. Don’t make fun…nobody else wanted to hire me at 13!