 |
|
|
Meet Our Staff |
 |
| David Parish |
| Email |
| Senior Pastor/Missions |
David Parish has served as Senior Pastor at Christian Fellowship Church since 1995. Patty Parish serves with him in leading the church as well as working as a college professor in communication at local colleges. They have one daughter, Lindsay, who is a freshman at Lee University.
Pastor David was saved, spirit-filled and called to ministry as a young person. He is a 1984 graduate of Lee College (B.A.) and a 2005 graduate of Oral Roberts University (M.S.). He holds an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Holy Trinity College.
Brother David served as Administrator of Christian Fellowship School from 1984-1995. He is also the president of World Missions and Evangelism, a mission’s agency with over one hundred missionaries and partners. In addition he serves as the World Missions Director of the Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches and Ministers, International.
|
|
 |
| J.T. Parish |
| Email |
| Founding Pastor |
Dr. J.T. Parish is the Founding Pastor of Christian Fellowship Church. The church was organized following a tent revival he conducted in September, 1969. He and his family moved to Marshall County in March, 1971, and served as the Senior Pastor until 1995. He presently serves on the Church Leadership Council, as Chairman of the Board of World Missions and Evangelism, as President of the School of Ministry, and conducts two weekly LIFE Cell (small group) meetings.
Under Dr. Parish’s leadership the church experienced 4 building programs and the following ministries were launched during his tenure as senior pastor:
Christian Fellowship School opened its doors in August, 1984, and the K-12 School has provided a quality education to young people of the area since that time.
World Missions and Evangelism was incorporated in 1988 as a separate organization but one that works closely with the church. It is continuing to grow into a powerful missions outreach with a successful church planting ministry.
The School of Ministry was launched in 1977. SOM offers Bible School training to both full time ministers and lay people who minister in their local church.
Dr. Parish is married to Noretta Hamby Parish. They have recently celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary. They are the parents of one son, David, who has been the Senior Pastor of Christian Fellowship since 1995. They are blessed with a wonderful daughter-in-law, Patty, and the joy of their life, their granddaughter, Lindsay, who is a freshman at Lee University.
|
|
 |
| Scott Wagner |
| Email |
| Associate Pastor |
Scott Wagner has served on the staff of Christian Fellowship Church as associate pastor since 2001.
A native of Benton, Kentucky, Scott is a graduate of Paducah Community College in Paducah, Kentucky with an Associate Degree in Accounting.
Married to Melissa, a native of Benton, Kentucky they are the parents of 4 children, Megan, Garrison, Jackson, and Maggie.
Other Activities:
- Christian Fellowship School Varsity Basketball Coach
- Christian Fellowship School Varsity Baseball Coach
- Angel Food Coordinator
- Past Registrar of the Marshall County Soccer Association (2002-2005)
- Chaplain for East Marshall Fire Department
- Holds National Soccer Coaches Association of America State Diploma
|
|
 |
| Kevin Jones |
| Email |
| Youth Pastor |
Raised in a Christian home in a small college town in Kentucky, church was a way of life for Kevin Jones. But at the age of 15, Kevin found himself living a totally different life than that portrayed at church – one where he was addicted to drugs and alcohol. Having been adopted as an infant, he battled daily with feelings of rejection that fueled his addictions. Not realizing how much his adoptive parents loved and specifically chose him, he found it difficult to reach out to God’s love. His chemical dependencies controlled his life by the age of 20.
But in 1992 in a backwoods Kentucky church, Kevin was radically saved, filled with the Spirit, and set free from every addiction. Having been delivered from that life, and knowing the power of God’s transforming grace and adoption as his sons, Kevin now spends his time ministering to others with similar problems and bondages.
He now serves as the full-time youth and children’s pastor of Christian Fellowship Church in Benton, Kentucky. God has anointed Kevin as a powerful speaker who has such an abundant heart of love for God’s redemptive grace and restoration.
Kevin’s heart is to touch those around him with the message that God has a future for you despite any previous failures or hurts – including todays.
| | Kevin Jones is the youth pastor at Christian Fellowship Church |
|
 |
| Donnie Peal |
| Email |
| Administrator |
I graduated summa cum laude from Southern Bible College in 1978 with Bachelor degrees in Christian Education and Music and Christian Ministry. In 1992, I graduated from Oral Roberts University with my Master’s degree in Christian School administration. I am currently working on my dissertation for completion of a Doctor’s degree in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Christian School Education. I served for five years as the president of Oral Roberts University Educational Fellowship, a Christian school service organization, and still serve on its Board of Directors. I have served for the last four years as the Chairman of the International Christian Accrediting Association, chairing both its Board of Directors and its board of Accrediting Commissioners. I also serve on the Kentucky Non-Public Schools Commission and as an alternate commissioner on the National Council of Private School Accreditation. I have both served as a team chairman and a team member for over fifty accreditation site visits to Christian schools both nationally and internationally. I have also had the privilege to speak at Christian school conferences both nationally and internationally.
I am married to Wanda (Ballinger) Peal who is also a teacher at Christian Fellowship School. Wanda and I have two daughters. Brandi, our oldest, was born in 1981, is married to Chris Haynes, and is also a teacher at Christian Fellowship School. Alisha was born in 1992 and is a student at Christian Fellowship School. We are members at Christian Fellowship Church where I currently serve as Administrative Pastor. I began working at Christian Fellowship School in August 1985 (the second year of the school’s operation) serving as a teacher for middle and high school. In August 1986, I became the school principal, a position I held until 1995 when I became the school head administrator. I greatly enjoy fishing, camping, and traveling. I have had the privilege of going on several mission trips to a number of places including: Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, India, and Bulgaria. These trips have truly been life-changing, giving me a greater appreciation of the wonderful blessings of God to my family and me and broadening my vision and desire to reach the nations of the world with the message of Christ through Christian education.
I fundamentally believe that God has a divine destiny for every person and that one’s greatest fulfillment in life comes from finding and fulfilling that destiny. Of course, the first step in this great journey is making Jesus Christ the Savior and Lord of one’s life. I truly love the Lord and my deepest desire is for His Lordship to be fully manifested in every area of my life. I believe that God’s destiny for me involves working in Christian education, that He has divinely called me as a teacher. I believe He has both gifted me and, through my life’s circumstances, equipped me to fulfill this destiny. My goal is to fully accomplish God’s will for my life by leading Christian Fellowship School to equip each of our students to fulfill God’s destiny for their lives through the inculcation of a Christian worldview, Biblical character, and a true servant’s heart, and by working with other Christian schools around the world to do the same for their students
|
|
 |
| Bill Rowley |
| Email |
| Principal, Christian Fellowship School |
I have worked in the education field for 20 years. For the past 6 years I have served on the staff of Christian Fellowship School. I also serve on the pastoral staff of Christian Fellowship Church. I came to CFS first as the athletic director and a science teacher. The following year I served as athletic director and high school principal. For the past 4 years I have served as the principal of the elementary, middle and high schools. I am a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington with a B.A. in Chemistry and of MurrayStateUniversity with a M.A. in secondary education. I am also a graduate of Christ for the Nations, a two-year BibleCollege in Dallas, Texas. It was the two years spent at CFNI, which securely laid the foundation for my Biblical worldview.
I am married to Freda (Jones) Rowley who is the Coordinator of Special Education at our school. Freda and I have one daughter, Rachel. She graduated from CFS and had been a student since kindergarten. She is a senior at Murray State University and is married to Jonathan Scott. Our family are active members of Christian Fellowship Church.
My desire is to serve God. My prayer is that all I do in His service is motivated purely by my love for Him. I aim to do my best to lead Christian Fellowship School into the future. Our school has been blessed with academic excellence, a challenging curriculum, diverse extra-curricular activities, and certainly an outstanding faculty. The heritage of our school has been made possible by the energy and commitment of families and friends and most importantly, God’s grace.
My desire is that the Christian Fellowship School is one day no longer seen as a province of a few educational enthusiasts or as something extra the church does, but is a cause as noble and worthy as any the church has undertaken. It is one, which every professing Christian can embrace with their whole heart, and march boldly under the banner of Jesus Christ.
|
|
 |
| Richie Clendenen, |
| Email |
| Associate Pastor |
Richie Clendenen has been on staff at Christian Fellowship and World Missions & Evangelism for the past 5 years. He is the Development Director of World Missions & Evangelism, where his responsibilities include overseeing Community Transformation Center church planting efforts. He also serves as the administrative assistant to Donnie Peal, a job that includes maintenance department supervision and other duties.
Born in Murray, Kentucky, Richie is a graduate of the Christian Fellowship School of Ministry. He also attended Christ for the Nations Bible Institute where he was enrolled in a specialized missions training. He is currently in pursuit of his BA from Murray State University.
Richie has also served in ministry on the foreign mission field. He interned on the mission field in 1999. He also directed a church planting initiative in Romania in 2001. He travels extensively and ministers all over the globe.
Richie is married to Jenny Clendenen, a native of Denver, Colorado. They are the parents of one son, Trey.
|
|
 |
| Rick Clendenen |
| Email |
| SOM Teacher |
Rick Clendenen believes that one of the greatest needs among today’s Christians is for spiritual fathers and mentors. As Jesus did with His disciples, these leaders work closely with a small group of believers, teaching them Kingdom principles and supporting them as they learn, and then sending them to do the same with others.
As Executive Director of World Missions and Evangelism, Inc., it is this vision that has taken Rick to more than 35 countries to speak at pastors’ conferences and work with church planters and those who train them. His efforts are helping to establish a network of training and support that is spreading the Gospel of Jesus to millions of people, even among those traditionally the most difficult to reach.
The youngest of fourteen children, Rick was born and raised in a coal mining town in eastern Kentucky. His parents were Christians and his grandfather was a Pentecostal preacher. After becoming a Christian at the age of 17, Rick’s commitment to serving others took him through 15 years of volunteer support in a local church. During that time, in response to a burden to help people become functional in the Body of Christ, he taught workshops that helped believers discover their spiritual gifts. That burden continues to motivate him today.
He served as pastor of a church in North Texas for several years, and then joined the staff of Christian Fellowship Church in Benton, Kentucky, where he continues to serve the leadership even as he travels extensively. World Missions and Evangelism, Inc., is a worldwide ministry outreach of Christian Fellowship Church that trains missionaries and church planters around the globe.
Rick and his wife, Debbie, have two grown children and one grandson. Their son Richie and daughter-in-law Jenny are the parents of Trey, born in 2004. Their daughter Renee and son-in-law Landon Owen are newlyweds.
|
|
 |
| Janece Jones |
| Email |
| Office Manager | | Janece Jones is the office manager |
|
 |
| Elaine Bivin |
| Email |
| Secretary |
I began working at Christian Fellowship School in 1985 as a librarian/teachers aide. After about three years of being involved with the school I became the secretary for Pastor David Parish. Since 1988 I have continued in this same position.
I have been married since 1973 to Carl Bivin. We met and married in Southern California where both our daughters, Rebekah Tyson and Miriam Howard were born. After Carl got out of the Marine Corp we moved back here to Kentucky where he grew up. We have been members of Christian Fellowship Church since the early eighties. Both our girls attended Christian Fellowship School and Carl is a deacon a CFC. We now have five wonderful grandchildren.
I feel so blessed to be a part of Christian Fellowship Church and its ministries. I feel that part of my purpose and destiny is being employed here and volunteering my time, money, and effort at CFC. The Lore id using this church to impact the world and I am glad to be a part of it.
|
|
 |
| Wanda Garland |
| Email |
| Ambassador Volunteer Promoting CFC & CFS |
I am married to Eddie Garland and we are charter members of Christian Fellowship Church. We are the parents of two sons, Mitchell and Mark Garland. The Lord knew we always wanted a daugher and he blessed us with Freda (Jones) Rowley, while not our biological child, she has been our daughter and best friend. We are blessed to count Freda and Bill as family. God has also blessed us with two wonderful daughters-in-law, Michelle and Gina. Our children have blessed us with seven wonderful grandchildren. Eddie is a deacon at CFC.
I was a stay-at-home mom before the term existed! I have volunteered in almost every area of the church ministry. In the early days of the church the members did everything from cleaning the bathrooms to teaching Sunday school! Working with young people has been one of my most rewarding experiences. For several years I served as youth leader, Sunday school teacher and women's ministry leader.
In 1983 I came on staff full time as church secretary. There were no computers and not even a typewriter at that time. The filing system was on the back of the phone book. When Christian Fellowship School was organized in 1984 I served both the church and the school, as secretary, athletic director, cheerleader sponsor, etc.
God has blessed the ministry of Christian Fellowship Church throughout the years and I’ve seen many changes especially in technology and communication. As of August 29, 2007 I will retire after almost 25 years. However, I will continue serving as a volunteer and keep the church and school websites updated and publish our church Newsletter, Lifelines.
I have been so blessed to be a part of the ministry of CFC. Truly this has been God's purpose and plan for my life. I look forward to serving God as a CFC volunteer! The best days are ahead for Christian Fellowship Church and Christian Fellowship School. I count it an honor to be part of this ministry.
|
|
 |
| Rebekah Tyson |
| Email |
| Business Office, Accounts Payable |
|
 |
| Gina Muller |
| Email |
| Business Office, Accounts Receiveable |
I graduated from Marshall County High School in 1987. After graduation I attended Paducah Community College for two years. I worked at a bank for a short period before becoming the office manager at a local business. I continued in that position until leaving the work force to become a stay-at-home mom after the birth of my first daughter. I began working in the business office at Christian Fellowship Church in 2004.
I grew up in Marshall County and Christian Fellowship Church. As a young adult I recommitted my life to Christ. Shortly after this I met my husband, Mike, who is a high school teacher at CFS, at Christian Fellowship Church. We have two beautiful daughters, Rebekah and Sarah, who both attend Christian Fellowship School. I am actively involved in the Children’s ministry as the children’s leader at Christian Fellowship Church and volunteer wherever needed at CFS.
My passion is to partner with families and their children, to reach as many boys and girls as possible for Christ, to equip kids to serve the Lord and instill in them the knowledge that God has a plan and a purpose for their lives.
"We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders he has done. So the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children." Psalms 78:4, 6 (NIV)
|
|
|
|
|
|
