A look to the Future

A look to the Future

A Message From Jeff

“Just as I was faithful in following God’s call in 1986, I’m following God’s calling right now. I’ve never been more excited in my 62 years than I am right at this second. By God’s grace and power, He has allowed me to do amazing things here, and now it’s time to release that to someone else so Venture can expand and grow far beyond what we have already seen and experienced.” - Jeff Clark

An Update From The Elders

“Venture Church is led by a team of elders, a team of executive pastors, and a Lead Pastor.



Meet Our Leaders

Lead Pastor Profile

The Lead Pastor Profile provides a summary of the qualifications and qualities most desired in our next Lead Pastor. Upon reviewing this draft, if you would like to submit feedback, please use the button below to email the search team.

Email Search Team

Daily Prayer Prompts

Beginning April 14 through May 4, our church family will unite in three weeks of guided daily prayer focused on seeking God's guidance through this season of transition. All are invited to join us as we pray for our leaders, our church family, and our communities where we serve.

FAQ

No. Hattiesburg is their earthly home. Venture Church is their faith family. They will continue serving here for years to come.

Jeff is as healthy as ever! We are thankful that he is able to transition into this new season and enjoy life with his wife, kids, and grandchildren while he is still very healthy.

We are still figuring out exactly what Jeff’s role will be, but we know we will continue utilizing his gifts and leveraging the legacy he has already built to mentor and set the next generation up for success.

In his own words, “Just as I was faithful in following God’s call in 1986, I’m following God’s calling right now. I’ve never been more excited in my 62 years than I am right at this second. By God’s grace and power, He has allowed me to do amazing things here, and now it’s time to release that to someone else so Venture can expand and grow far beyond what we have already seen and experienced.” - Jeff

With the guidance of renowned consultant, Dave Travis, who has helped more than 60 other churches transition  successfully, we are following a proven, strategic, and very thorough process. This process includes opportunities for our church family  to contribute thoughts and give input. Our hope is to announce a new Lead Pastor sometime in 2024, but we do not have an exact date.

This is our hope and prayer; however, if there is not a clear choice at the end of the process, we will begin looking externally.

Yes, once a candidate has been identified by the elders and Search Committee, they will be presented to our church for a vote at the end of a Sunday morning worship experience.

There is no definitive date. We are following an exhaustive process created by renowned consultant, Dave Travis, who has helped more than 60 other churches transition very successfully.

For now, yes. Once the new Lead Pastor is announced sometime in 2024, Jeff and Alicia will take a sabbatical to rest, enjoy life, and give the new Lead Pastor the time and space needed to establish his leadership.

Yes! We are fortunate to have a team of gifted communicators who will continue to rotate and teach on the weekends.

Yes! Our campuses will continue carrying out the vision and mission we feel God has uniquely called Venture Church to fulfill.

No, but prayer IS essential. This is God’s church, and just as He brought Jeff to us in His perfect timing for a season, He will do the same again. He has never let us down, and we confidently believe He will not let us down now.

Jeff said it best, “Please pray and fight with all your might for unity in our faith family because God wants to take Venture to a level that none of us have ever seen. I’m excited about where we’ve come from, but I’m more excited about where we are going.” Please pray that the enemy would not gain a foothold in the movement of God through Venture Church. Please do all you can to continue serving, giving, supporting, and fulfilling our vision to be a church for the unchurched and our mission to lead people to know, love, and follow Jesus Christ.