Following a call to ministry in 1984, Pastor Ron returned to Taylor University with Cynde and their three children (now grown), where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1986. In 1989, Ron was awarded his Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Ron and Cynde have served churches in Wolcott, Anderson, and Bristol, Indiana, since 1986.

Words from Pastor Ron:
"One of my greatest joys in life is sharing the Good News of God's grace and the way God infuses us with the Holy Spirit. The heart of the ministry here at JBC is seeking to be in fellowship, commitment, and service to Jesus Christ. As a congregation, we are continually seeking ways that we can more effectively be the Body of Christ to the community. We want JBC to be a place where people can encounter God's love and Spirit."

Vickie Oldenburg has been serving Jefferson Brethren Church since 1996. She began working with Inner Healing/Recovery Ministry in 2000. She leads recovery groups, facilitates one-on-one inner healing sessions, oversees women's ministries and visits the sick and home bound. She and her husband, Ron, have been married for 30 years and have 2 grown children and two beautiful grandchildren! Vickie has been trained in Elijah House prayer ministry (John & Paula Sandford); Basic and Advanced Theophostics (Ed Smith); Formational Prayer (Dr. Terry Wardle); SALTS (Surviors of Abuse Leadership Training Seminar) and the Wounded Heart (Dr. Dan Allender).

Vickie shares about her passion for ministry:
"It is my passion and one of the great loves of my life to enter the stories of those who were created in God's image (that's all of us!) and find out why - we are not living as he created us to live; with freedom, hope, joy, peace... Life on this earth can be painful, sad, disappointing and even depressing! Look at the pain and darkness that Jesus went through with rejection and ultimate death. What amazes me and gives me hope is that the pain, darkness and death that Jesus went through - led to his glory; led to who He really is; Led to his resurrection (He Is Alive Again!) and our salvation! Can God use the painful, dark places in our lives to bring us into who we really are in Him? In John 10:10 Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they might have life and have it to the full." Where is this "full life" that Jesus talks about, why aren't we living it? I believe that in our pain, discomfort, darkness, grief, loss - Jesus is there, knocking on the door - asking if He can come there. I believe He longs to show us who we really are and make us Alive Again!"

Chris has a strong passion for connecting with kids and connecting them to Jesus! With a bachelor’s degree in Education from IUSB and a heart for Christ, he has taught at public schools as well as at a faith-based alternative school called The Crossing Education Center. Chris has always had a heart for working with young people. This passion has kept him in youth ministry since 1991. He came on staff with JBC as the director for middle school and high school youth and is looking forward to all that Christ wants to accomplish in and through our young people!
 
Words from Chris:
“I did not grow up in the church but (as Francis Thompson would say) Jesus has been the ‘Hound of Heaven’ in my life and pursued me at every turn! His love is SO AMAZING! What an honor to be used by Him to pour into others! I am so excited to be living life alongside of these kids as I watch the Hound of Heaven pursue them! There are so many competing voices for our youth today and it is of utmost importance that they hear God’s voice of love for them!”

Pam Garber has been involved as a volunteer in Children’s Ministry for over 25 years, the last 5 years at Jefferson Brethren Church.  In July 2008 Pam accepted the invitation to become the part time Children’s Director.  She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Goshen College in 1976 and worked as a registered nurse at Goshen General Hospital until she became a full time mother in a blended family with 5 children, now grown.  She and her husband, Terry, also have 7 grandchildren. Pam oversees the Children’s Department at JBC which includes programs such as the Nursery, L.I.F.E. (Live in Faith Excitably) Sunday School utilizing rotating workshops, Children’s Church, Jefferson Brethren Preschool, and God’s Trekkers & Mini Trekkers (a scripture study and Bible memory program on Wednesday evenings for children age 4 through grade 5). 

Pam’s perspective…
Jesus encouraged kids to come to Him and when they came, He blessed them.  We want to do the same for kids at JBC.  Our goal is to build a strong biblical foundation for kids and to help them meet Christ, accept Christ, grow in Christ and bring others to Christ.  We plant the seeds of God’s Word in the fertile soil of a child’s heart, provide nourishment and water, then watch as fruit is produced in their life.  Jesus wants to have a relationship with all of us and that includes kids!  Kids can explore God’s Word in fun and exciting ways which make the Bible come alive for them.  As adults, we can model these concepts for children as we share with them that Jesus walks and talks with us every day…and with them, too. Children’s Ministry at JBC does not just provide child care for parents…rather we exist to provide ministry to children!