Jeff Downs

Phone (864) 704-6418 Email click here

FAMILY

It was in 1991 that God transformed my heart and mind to love and serve Him. In 1995 I met my (now) wife while attending Bible college. I soon began working full-time while trying to finish college. We currently reside in South Carolina where I attend seminary. My wife and I have three children and we are currently members of a PCA congregation in Spartanburg, SC.

MINISTRY HISTORY

Around the time of my conversion, I was introduced to apologetics and Countercult ministry, which as has been an interest of mine throughout my Christian walk. Over time, God has moved me in the direction of pastoral ministry. I have experience preaching, as well as teaching apologetics, cults and general theology.

In 1999 the Resource Center for Theological Research was launched as well as the Research Index and Resource Blog (these projects have been put on hold do to a new direction in ministry). One of the goals for RCTR was to equip the body of Christ and engage our world with a Christian worldview. This has been done by holding seminars and conferences, teaching classes and through the RCTR website.

MINISTRY GOALS

I am currently attending Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary working toward an M.Div.
After seminary I hope to be called into a full-time Pastor or Associate Pastor position.

CURRENT PROJECTS

April-July, 2008 Teaching a Sunday School class at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg SC (Topic: A Biblical Approach to Christian Counterfeits)
Audio: Acts 17, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4, Class 5, Class 6, Class 7, Class 8, Class 9.
Here is a list of books I am currently reading:
Pastoral Theology: The Pastor in the Various Duties of His Office. Thomas Murphy (Old Paths Publications).
The Doctrine of God (A Theology of Lordship). John M. Frame (P&R, 2002).
Pushing the Antithesis: The Apologetic Methodology of Greg L. Bahnsen (American Vision, 2007).
The Reformed Pastor. Richard Baxter (Banner of Truth, 1999).
The Supremacy of God in Preaching. John Piper (Baker, 2004).
Muslims and Christians at the Table. Bruce McDowell and Anees Zaka (P&R, 1999).
Along with many other books I look through now and then.
I have the privilege of blogging on the Alpha & Omega Ministry blog.
I recently finished a summer course on Understanding Islam with Aneez Zaka and I am taking a summer course (this week) on Pastoral Leadership with Ian Hamilton.

REFERENCES

Available upon request (I don't want to post this contact information online).