Pastors
Rev. Dr. Blake Bradford, LEAD PASTOR
Blake Bradford is passionate about coaching and encouraging Christian leaders in our common mission of making disciples and transforming the world. Blake has recently completed almost a decade of service as a District Superintendent and conference staff member in the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church and is now serving as the lead pastor of First UMC of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Blake has co-authored several books: IMPACT! Reclaiming the Call of Lay Ministry was written to encourage and equip lay leaders take ownership of Christ's mission and vision of the congregation as it seeks to engage their neighborhood and community. Mission Possible 3+: A Simple Structure for Missional Effectiveness (and its predecessor volume) were designed as a handbook for churches seeking to use the simplified accountable leadership structure often called the “one board model.” Mission Possible for the Small Church expands on his previous work with simplified leadership, along with chapters on small church ministry planning and “leading from the porch swing,” He is also the author of a volume in The Greatest Expedition Series, Strengthening Decision-Making & Governance for New Expeditions.
Blake has pastored churches of different sizes and contexts, including serving as executive pastor of a 3500-member congregation in Little Rock. Before his appointment to the Cabinet, Blake served the Arkansas Conference Center for Vitality as a congregational coach, consultant, and conflict transformation mediator. Dr. Bradford, a graduate of Hendrix, Vanderbilt, Iliff School of Theology, and Perkins School of Theology at SMU, continues to speak at conferences nationwide, and he equips and consults with annual conferences, districts, and congregations in the areas of governance and ministry impact. He assists in the training of simplified accountable structure coaches, and he is also a certified UMC Onboarding Facilitator, helping churches and pastors have a great start in ministry. Learn more and download resources at www.blakebradford.org.
Blake has co-authored several books: IMPACT! Reclaiming the Call of Lay Ministry was written to encourage and equip lay leaders take ownership of Christ's mission and vision of the congregation as it seeks to engage their neighborhood and community. Mission Possible 3+: A Simple Structure for Missional Effectiveness (and its predecessor volume) were designed as a handbook for churches seeking to use the simplified accountable leadership structure often called the “one board model.” Mission Possible for the Small Church expands on his previous work with simplified leadership, along with chapters on small church ministry planning and “leading from the porch swing,” He is also the author of a volume in The Greatest Expedition Series, Strengthening Decision-Making & Governance for New Expeditions.
Blake has pastored churches of different sizes and contexts, including serving as executive pastor of a 3500-member congregation in Little Rock. Before his appointment to the Cabinet, Blake served the Arkansas Conference Center for Vitality as a congregational coach, consultant, and conflict transformation mediator. Dr. Bradford, a graduate of Hendrix, Vanderbilt, Iliff School of Theology, and Perkins School of Theology at SMU, continues to speak at conferences nationwide, and he equips and consults with annual conferences, districts, and congregations in the areas of governance and ministry impact. He assists in the training of simplified accountable structure coaches, and he is also a certified UMC Onboarding Facilitator, helping churches and pastors have a great start in ministry. Learn more and download resources at www.blakebradford.org.
Rev. Abbey Maynard, Executive Associate Pastor
Stay tuned for updates.
Rev. Janice Sudbrink, Minister of Pastoral Care
Stay tuned for updates.
Staff
Stay tuned for updates.