In this episode, Joel Wayne sits down with Pastor Jim Jeffery to walk through the story behind his life and leadership—how a young boy from a broken home came to know Christ and began a journey that would shape decades of ministry.
In this deeply personal and honest conversation, Pastor Jim shares how his calling to ministry began at just 12 years old, only to be tested and refined in the years that followed. From a life-changing moment at summer camp to navigating family brokenness, early ministry, and unexpected leadership opportunities, his story reveals that spiritual leadership is not built on talent or ambition but on surrender, hardship, and faithfulness over time.
As Jim reflects on seasons of rapid ministry growth followed by one of the hardest leadership transitions of his life, he unpacks the humbling reality that God often does His deepest work in the desert. Together, Joel and Jim explore the difference between pastoring and leading, the dangers of chasing “more,” and why many leaders don’t truly understand leadership until they’re stretched beyond their capacity.Whether you’re stepping into leadership for the first time or navigating a difficult season, this episode will challenge you to rethink what it means to be called, formed, and sustained by God.
What you’ll learn:
- How Pastor Jim Jeffery came to faith and sensed his call to ministry at a young age
- Why spiritual leadership is formed through hardship, not just success
- The key lesson many leaders learn too late about transitioning between ministries
- The difference between pastoring and leading—and why both matter
- Why chasing “more” can lead you away from what God is actually doing
- How God uses difficult seasons to humble, shape, and prepare leaders
- The importance of learning leadership from both Scripture and godly mentors
- Why caring for your soul is essential if you want to lead for the long haul
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