Are you scheduled every night of the week? Stressed out? Too busy?
77 percent of Americans are. The number one cause of stress in the United States is job pressure and work overload. (Statistic Brain)
Pastor Jeff Fields of First Baptist Jensen Beach says, “We need to slow down, simplify and love each other. Every week families can choose from many different activities, even church, and then church just becomes another choice on the shelf. When this happens, church attendance loses relevance.”
Jeff Fields adds, “Church is community; it is part of our nature and is necessary to support each other. The church matters—it preserves society and is as vital as salt on our food. It is not the Lions’ Club.”
Jeff Fields is a different kind of pastor.
He sports a lengthy gray beard, rides a Harley, shoots his guns, and has tattoos on his arms and hands. But if you listen to him speak, you’ll understand that he’s a lot like you and me.
He’s not out to raise pastors’ salaries or build a stadium-sized church, he’s a committed pastor who believes in loving others. Jeff Fields has been in church ministry for 24 years, 17 of them as a youth pastor.
Jeff and Sheri Fields
Several years ago, I met Jeff and his wife, Sheri, when they first came to First Baptist of Jensen Beach. My son had just entered Jensen Beach High School. Jeff, as the church’s youth pastor, developed a dynamic program reaching many local teens in Jensen Beach. His messages were well received by the youth; even their parents came to hear him. His words spoke of hope and respect for parents, and making good choices when temptation arrived. Jeff did not skirt the issues that today’s kids face—he spoke plainly.
The youth program expanded. A bus was purchased. Jeff took middle and high school teens to camp and on mission trips, building character, humility, and a duty to help others within their hearts.
Pastor Jeff personally counseled teens at risk. After my father died, Pastor Jeff even came to my Dad’s funeral to sit with my son.
Pastor Jeff got to know the parents as well. He gave me counsel after Dad’s death. Pastor Jeff goes out of his way to give his time.
Jeff Fields has lived his legacy every day—reaching both adults and youth with the love and truth of Christ.
Today he is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Jensen Beach. This is his third position there.
Jeff and Sheri Fields are the parents of three children and nine grandchildren. They have been married for 37 years.
You can find Jeff Fields outside on the front porch of First Baptist Jensen Beach each Sunday, smiling and greeting friends and visitors.
Contact Kelly Jadon at: kfjadon@gmail.com
(C) 2018 Kelly Jadon