I grew up in the coalfields of Appalachia, self-sufficient, self-focused, and self-righteous. Starting a career in law enforcement at age 21 only increased that self-centeredness. It was not until I was 25 years old, already married (to Julie) and a father for the first time (daughter, Erin), that I first heard with clarity and conviction the life-changing message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. On a spring night in 1992, with baby number two (Sarah) on the way, I was gloriously born again. Since then, the Lord has given me an insatiable hunger to “carefully study, sincerely believe, diligently obey, and faithfully teach” the Word of God.
Following Jesus has taken our family to North Carolina (Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Multi-Housing Ministry), Maine (church planting), West Virginia (vocational pastor), and back to Virginia (law enforcement as a livelihood, ministry in the local church). Many people have commented on how different ministry and law enforcement are, but in fact, they are very similar. Both involve people who are often in crisis and both reveal the best and worst in humanity, all desperately in need of salvation. Law enforcement has been and continues to be a livelihood, but Jesus is my life.
Our family now includes two sons-in-law (Ian & Jake) and two grandchildren (Michaela & Liam). My heart’s desire is to see each of them, as well as a multitude of brothers and sisters in the faith, “walking in the truth” (2 John 4) and living lives “worthy of the calling {they} have received” (Ephesians 4:1). I see the ministry entrusted to me as one that helps people (the church) move from where they are to where God wants them to be. I long to be a disciple alongside other disciples whose lives are people-focused, Christ-centered and glory-driven. Jesus, our Lord and King, is worthy of a life so lived.
-- Jeff Rose
