“Just as I was faithful in following God’s call in 1986, I’m following God’s calling right now. I’ve never been more excited in my 62 years than I am right at this second. By God’s grace and power, He has allowed me to do amazing things here, and now it’s time to release that to someone else so Venture can expand and grow far beyond what we have already seen and experienced.” - Jeff Clark

 

LATEST UPDATE FROM OUR ELDERS

Venture Church is led by a team of elders, a team of executive pastors, and a Lead Pastor.

With the guidance of consultant, Dave Travis, Venture’s team of elders are being assisted by a nominated search team in identifying the next candidate for Lead Pastor.

LEAD PASTOR SEARCH TEAM:

  • Mary Boleware

  • Lee Federic

  • Robbie Jefcoat

  • Kellen Lane

  • Marlyn Laird

  • Jason Overstreet

  • Lee Parish

  • Lee Southwell

  • Scott Strahan

  • Joe Waits

QUESTIONS:

If you have additional questions, you can drop the Search Team an email by clicking the button below.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. ARE JEFF AND ALICIA MOVING? 

  • No. Hattiesburg is their earthly home. Venture Church is their faith family. They will continue serving here for years to come. 

2. IS JEFF HEALTHY? IS HE CHANGING ROLES BECAUSE OF A MEDICAL ISSUE?

  • Jeff is as healthy as ever! We are thankful that he is able to transition into this new season and enjoy life with his wife, kids, and grandchildren while he is still very healthy.  

3. WHAT WILL JEFF’S NEW ROLE BE? 

  • We are still figuring out exactly what Jeff’s role will be, but we know we will continue utilizing his gifts and leveraging the legacy he has already built to mentor and set the next generation up for success.

4. HOW IS JEFF FEELING ABOUT ALL OF THIS?  

  • In his own words, “Just as I was faithful in following God’s call in 1986, I’m following God’s calling right now. I’ve never been more excited in my 62 years than I am right at this second. By God’s grace and power, He has allowed me to do amazing things here, and now it’s time to release that to someone else so Venture can expand and grow far beyond what we have already seen and experienced.” - Jeff 

5. IS THERE A TIMELINE FOR JEFF’S TRANSITION?

  • The next immediate step will be selecting a Pastor Search Committee. Nominees are due by September 24, and can be submitted by emailing elders@venturechurch.org. Once that team is in place, we will continue executing the thorough process provided by renowned consultant, Dave Travis, who has helped more than 60 other churches transition very successfully. In the weeks and months ahead, our church family will be able to contribute thoughts and give input. Our hope is to announce a new Lead Pastor sometime in 2024, but we do not have an exact date. 

6. WILL THE NEW LEAD PASTOR COME FROM WITHIN?

  • This is our hope and prayer; however, if there is not a clear choice at the end of the process, we will begin looking externally. 

7. ONCE THERE IS A CLEAR CHOICE, WILL THE CHURCH VOTE ON THE NEW LEADER?

  • Yes, once a candidate has been identified by the elders and Search Committee, they will be presented to our church for a vote at the end of a Sunday morning worship experience.   

8. WHEN WILL WE KNOW WHO THE NEW LEAD PASTOR IS?

  • There is no definitive date. We are following an exhaustive process created by renowned consultant, Dave Travis, who has helped more than 60 other churches transition very successfully. 

9. WILL JEFF STILL PREACH?

  • For now, yes. Once the new Lead Pastor is announced sometime in 2024, Jeff and Alicia will take a sabbatical to rest, enjoy life, and give the new Lead Pastor the time and space needed to establish his leadership. 

10. WILL THERE STILL BE A TEACHING TEAM?

  • Yes! We are fortunate to have a team of gifted communicators who will continue to rotate and teach on the weekends. 

11. WILL WE CONTINUE TO BE A MULTI-SITE CHURCH?

  • Yes! Our campuses will continue carrying out the vision and mission we feel God has uniquely called Venture Church to fulfill. 

12. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR FUTURE?

  • No, but prayer IS essential. This is God’s church, and just as He brought Jeff to us in His perfect timing for a season, He will do the same again. He has never let us down, and we confidently believe He will not let us down now.  

13. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OUR CHURCH NEEDS FROM ME?

  • Jeff said it best, “Please pray and fight with all your might for unity in our faith family because God wants to take Venture to a level that none of us have ever seen. I’m excited about where we’ve come from, but I’m more excited about where we are going.” Please pray that the enemy would not gain a foothold in the movement of God through Venture Church. Please do all you can to continue serving, giving, supporting, and fulfilling our vision to be a church for the unchurched and our mission to lead people to know, love, and follow Jesus Christ.