Pastor Jeff has been the lead Pastor at Praise Community Church from inception in June of 2003. Prior to serving at Praise Community Church, Pastor Jeff served for eight years in a mainline denominational church. Jeff and his wife Jani both have a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. Prior to entering the seminary, Jeff taught for four years in the Davenport Community School system. Jeff’s passions are preaching, teaching, and hospitality. His vision for the church is to equip the people in the congregation to recognize their spiritual gifts, nurture those gifts, empower them to disciple those in the church, and then to reach out and evangelize the un-churched. Jeff’s hobbies are cooking, reading, and stained glass art.
Mark joined the staff of Praise Community Church January 1, 2010 as Associate Pastor. He and his wife, Cassie lead the FirstPlace Ministry by bringing the Word of God and the message of "Who We Are In Christ" to Middle and High School students. Mark has a degree in Journalism-Advertising from the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire where he lettered in hockey for 4 years and was a Two-Time All-American. Mark has also held the position as Head Coach for the Mason City High School Hockey Team for the past 9 years. Mark and Cassie have a passion for teens who are bombarded with things the world throws their way and to show them when they put God "FirstPlace" in their lives they can overcome anything. Mark also has a passion seeing how the lives of people transform through God's saving grace and His living Word. In Mark's spare time he enjoys fishing, golfing, and spending time with Cassie.
Amy Palmer came to Praise Community Church in September of 2007. Amy has over ten years of experience developing and supporting small group life. Her experience and hunger for learning more are assets in encouraging biblical community at Praise. Amy’s passion is creating a place of belonging for every individual in the body of Christ. She also uses this God-given passion to help develop the Spiritual Gifts Ministry by guiding individuals to find their “sweet-spot” of service at Praise Community Church . Her own spiritual gifts include faith, administration, and shepherding. Amy’s hobbies are creating mosaics, cooking, watching HGTV, and playing games with her family.
Claudia Cooper became the Director of Christian Education at Praise Community Church in November of 2008. Claudia has always had a passion for children and a love for God that goes back as far as she can remember. Claudia has been a member of Praise since the beginning in 2003. Claudia volunteers her time and talents as a member of the PraiseFirst Worship Band as a vocalist and violinist. Claudia has 3 children and enjoys spending time with them, as well as baking them their favorite gourmet cakes and pies. Her spiritual gifts include Giving, Compassion, Serving and Helps.
Pastor Arv Foat was a pastor for 29 years before retiring when he and his wife moved to Branson, Missouri. He works well with his hands and to supplement their retirement income he took a course on how to be a locksmith. God had other plans for him! In January of 2000 they moved to Mason City, Iowa. He now spends his time doing Hospital Visitations, baking whole wheat bread, taking care of his garden, and other odd jobs. A true shepherd of the flock!
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