Cliff came to Mountain Grove from Florida in
1986 and in 20+ years of service, has led the
church to baptize over 2000 believers and
experience a 500% growth, as well as build a
modern, multi-use facility that seats over 1700
persons. He was educated at Florida Baptist
University and Luther Rice Seminary (DMIN). Cliff
has authored four books: "The Reality of the
Kingdom of Demons," "The Reality of the Holy
Spirit," "The Reality of Intimacy," and "The Study
of Joshua." Cliff and his wife, Linda, have three
children and six grandchildren.
Jeff Burkhimer came to Mountain Grove in
January of 1999 from New Life Baptist Church where
he served as Youth Pastor. Jeff assumed his new
responsibility as Executive Pastor in March 2009,
wherein he will be responsible for office, staff,
and ministry issues. He received has an A.A.
in Business form Caldwell Community College, a B.A.
in Biblical Studies from Luther Rice Seminary, and
an M.B.A. in Leadership from Liberty
University. He is married to Tammy and they
have two boys, Noah and Ian.
Jack serves as Minister of Restoration &
Pastoral Counseling. His responsibilities include,
not only offering both individual and marriage
pastoral counseling, as well as, coordinating the
training and use of lay-counselors for the roles of
counseling and discipleship. Jack is a graduate of
Western Piedmont Community College, Appalachian
State University, Southeastern Baptist Theological
Seminary (MDIV), and Eastern Baptist Theological
Seminary (DMIN in Marriage and Family Counseling).
Jack has certifications through ACME (Association
of Couples for Marriage Enrichment) and AACC
(American Association of Christian Counselors). He
and his wife, Shawn, served as IMB missionaries in
Gaza and Israel for 15 years prior to coming to
Mountain Grove. They have three grown children,
Daniel, Joshua, and Lydia and one grand daughter,
Braelynn.
Anna Dean is a fixture at Mountain Grove who
epitomizes love and grace. She began ministry as a
volunteer youth worker and has led in establishing
TEAMkid, the Senior Adult ministry, and now, a new
outreach to New Parents. Anna Dean continues to
work as Seniors and New Parents minister. She has
certifications in Early Childhood Development,
Senior Adult ministries, and American Assoc. of
Christian Counselors. Anna Dean and her husband,
Jim, have four children, nine grandchildren, and 5
great-grand children.
Mrs. Chester came to Mountain Grove in March
of 1987. Jan is certified in financial counseling
from Christian Financial Concepts Inc. and
Christian counseling from American Association of
Christian Counselors. She has an Associates degree
in Sacred Literature from Covington Theological
Seminary where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Jan
and her husband, Keith, have one son and two
grandchildren. Jan serves as Pastor of Adult
Ministries—which includes, Life Groups, Connection
Groups, and Marriage Ministries.
Ken serves as Student Ministries Pastor.
He and his wife Cindy have worked together in
youth ministry since their marriage in 1990.
They have been members of Mountain Grove
since 2002 and began full time ministry in August
of 2009. He graduated from Ambassador
University in Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in
Theology. Ken is currently enrolled at
Liberty University and is working on his Master of
Arts in Religion with emphasis in youth ministry.
Ken and Cindy have two sons, Jonathan and
Bailey.
Josh and his wife Annamarie have been members
of Mountain Grove since 1997. Josh
recently came on board as the Children's Pastor and
Financial Officer in March 2009, after working
within the UpStreet kids program for many years.
Josh graduated from South Caldwell High
School in 1994 and attended CCC&TI for two
years. At last count Josh and Annamarie
had 4 children, Megan, Dawson, Lincoln, and Nolan,
1 dog, 1 cat and and goldfish named Candy.
Despite admittedly being addicted to college
baseball, The Office and most recently Twitter,
Josh desires nothing more than sharing Jesus'
love with the kids of Mountain Grove.
Linda is the wife and executive secretary of
our Senior Pastor. Linda was born in Greenville,
Alabama and attended Greenville High School. She
and Cliff have three children and six
grandchildren. Brother Cliff says, “Linda is a
vital part of our ministry as she seeks to touch
the lives of our church family with her love and
caring.”
Cindy is an Administrative Assistent working
in finances and also is a Creative Team member. She
came to Mountain Grove in 1995 from the Caldwell
County School System. Cindy and her husband, Dale,
live in Lenoir.
Lynn is the soft, welcome voice that you hear
when you call Mountain Grove. She has been on staff
for 8 years and she and her husband, Phil, have
attended Mountain Grove for 13 years. Born in
Sumpter, SC, Lynn grew up in Rutherford College.
She graduated from East Burke High School in 1982,
and also attended Western Piedmont Community
College. They have three children, all boys ages
27, 20, 19 and one grandson that is 7 years old.
Lynn's favorite past-time is spending time with her
husband whom she calls, "My best friend." They
enjoy traveling, scuba diving and being with
friends and family. "Phil and I feel very honored
to be a part of the greatest church on the face of
the earth."
Lynn became a member of the staff of Mountain
Grove Church in 2007. Recently, she assumed her new
role as Coordinator of Facilities and Food Pantry.
She has certifications in Micro-computing and
Typesetting Design along with various financial
experience. Lynn has two sons, Jordan and Casey.
“I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.” (Phillippians
4:13)
Tracy is employed by the Caldwell County
Sheriff's Office, but his passion is praising and
leading worship at Mountain Grove. Tracy is married
to Wendy and they have one son, Joshua.
Ethan serves part-time as head of our Video
Production team. He and his wife, Sheri, along with
many other dedicated volunteers work hard to make
all of us look good on tape and on the video
screens. Ethan and Sheri have one daughter and one
son.
