Childhood and Testimonies of Salvation

Jennifer Castleman was born in 1954 in Nashville, Arkansas. Her mother worked as a telephone operator and later as a doctor’s receptionist  after completing college, while her father managed a chicken farm alongside various other business ventures, including service stations. As an only child until the age of 12, Jennifer became a babysitter for her younger siblings after her mother had a son and another daughter.

James Crews was born in 1952 in Wauchula, Florida, located in Central Florida. His mother was a stay-at-home mom, and his father worked as a meat cutter and also raised cattle. Both James and Jennifer grew up in church, establishing a strong foundation of faith from an early age.

Jennifer made a profession of faith at the age of 8 or 9, though she later realized she did not fully understand her commitment. It was during her college years at Southern Arkansas University (SAU) and through involvement with the Association of Baptist Students (ABS) that she genuinely surrendered her life to Christ. A pivotal moment occurred during a retreat at Daniel Springs, where she experienced sleepless nights grappling with the realization of her need for true salvation.

James encountered Christ at the age of 16 on April 5, 1969, during a transformative “super revival” known as Kindling Wood, a hallmark event of the Jesus Movement. This revival led to the salvation of 35 students in one night, sparking a spiritual awakening across his high school. James’ conversion was life-altering, marked by bold steps of repentance, including confessing past mistakes to local authorities, who encouraged him to preach the gospel. His newfound faith was unmistakable to everyone who knew him.

Education and Meeting Each Other

James attended SAU on a football scholarship, influenced by his high school coach from Arkansas. There, he became active in ABS and joined College View Baptist Church. It was at SAU that he met Jennifer in a moment that was clearly meant to be. While playing football at an ABS event, Jennifer literally intercepted a pass he was throwing to another girl, which marked the beginning of their relationship.

Call to Ministry and Pre-Field Preparation

James’ call to ministry was profound. Despite struggling with public speaking, he surrendered to God’s call and preached 65 times in 35 different churches at just 21 years old. He taught and coached football at Hughes High School from 1976 to 1978 before becoming the ABS director at SAU from 1977 to 1979. He later served as interim pastor of College View Baptist Church from 1980 to 1981.

Jennifer’s ministry calling centered on supporting James. Although she initially vowed never to marry a preacher, she embraced her role wholeheartedly, serving alongside James in various capacities—from administrative tasks and children’s ministry to managing PowerPoint presentations and even operating mimeograph machines.

Without formal deputation knowledge, they boldly scheduled church visits and trusted God for provision. As church planters with young children, their faith was continually tested and affirmed by God’s supernatural provision. They later received formal training with Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI), which significantly impacted their ministry effectiveness.

Church Planting Journey

• Calvary Baptist Church, Bloomington, Indiana (1981-1988): James felt a strong burden to plant a church after attending a conference in Bloomington. They found a home through a newspaper ad and began outreach through door-to-door evangelism. Their efforts bore fruit, even reaching the janitor who opened the school for their services.
• Heritage Baptist Church, Portland, Oregon (1988-2005): Their hearts were drawn to the Pacific Northwest, then the most unchurched region in the U.S. Jennifer led a transformative girls’ ministry called Friendship Girls, which provided both spiritual and practical life lessons to a multicultural group. James also served as a church planter trainer, overseeing the Pacific Northwest from 2000 to 2005.
• Grace Baptist Church, Post Falls, Idaho (2005-2020): Initially praying for someone else to serve in Idaho, James and Jennifer eventually realized God was calling them. They continued their mission of planting indigenous churches, fostering small groups, and mentoring future church leaders.

Life on the Mission Field

James and Jennifer’s ministry philosophy was to integrate with the local community, avoiding the replication of Arkansas church models. They embraced cultural differences, even adjusting to local vernacular like calling bell peppers “mangoes” in Indiana. Their outreach methods included setting weekly goals for evangelism, door-to-door visits, and small group ministries.

Jennifer’s ministry extended to discipleship among women and leading impactful programs like Friendship Girls. Their children—Kari, Krista, Justin, and Jenna—adapted well to the transitions, growing up in environments rich with faith and mission work.

Reflection and Legacy

In 1998, James authored The Heart of the Preacher, reflecting on lessons learned through ministry. They emphasized that adversity often yields the deepest spiritual growth. James marveled at how God transformed his weakness in public speaking into a powerful preaching ministry.

After attempting to retire in 2020 due to heart issues, James experienced renewed health upon moving to Greenbrier, Arkansas, allowing him to resume pastoral duties at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Together, they have served over 51 years in ministry, blessed with four children, 13 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.James and Jennifer Crews’ lives exemplify unwavering faith, dedication to the gospel, and a profound impact on countless lives through church planting, discipleship, and community engagement.