Jeff Gunn, Pastor
My Heart: To reach people with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. I firmly believe this message is the only message that can transform lives for eternity. Paul the Apostle once wrote, "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). I also have a heart for the hurting. I've had a lot of life experiences that have taught me the power of Christ's love to bring peace to those who hurt. And finally, I love my wife, Julie, and my five awesome kids! They are the greatest! They have literally followed me to the ends of the earth in my passion to reach those who do not yet know Christ.
My Story: I grew up in a family that didn't know Christ and was raised only going to church on rare occasions. My folks were divorced when I was in the sixth grade. My Dad died when I was still in high school, from complications due to alcoholism. My Mom raised my sister and me as a single Mom and did a great job of making it all work on a retail store clerk salary. In high school, a tremendous family moved down the street from us. I began playing basketball with their son, and he invited me to their church. I was pretty resistant to the whole idea, but they stuck with me and that kept me coming back. I heard the word. God did his work. And over a three year period in high school the Holy Spirit (he definitely deserves all the credit!) worked faith into my heart. Yeah, sort of like working oil into your baseball glove, it took him some work. But he's God, and he got the job done despite my resistance. From there, my first pastor convinced me that I should think about becoming a pastor myself. I left my hometown, (right here, Phoenix, AZ) and went to the Midwest to a Christian college and to Seminary in Milwaukee, WI. After graduation, my wife Julie and I moved to Zambia, where we spent 14 awesome years sharing the gospel in the heart of Central Africa. Returning in 1996 to the States, I served for 5 years as Assistant Principal at Arizona Lutheran Academy, and an additional 3 years as Director of Native American Missions for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. In 2004 I was called to serve as the first pastor of CrossWalk Church. I have five tremendous children—Aaron, Abbie, Andrew, Audrey and Abel. No question, in my life I've fully experienced the CrossWalk tagline: "Live the adventure!"
On My iPod: Books, Chris Rice, City on a Hill, Nichole Nordmann, Classic Rock.
Favorite Foods: Wings, Julie's pizza, Salsa Verde Doritos, and anything Mexican.
Favorite Books: The Bible, What's So Amazing About Grace, The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel, Good to Great, Leading at a Higher Level, Made to Stick, pretty much anything in the area of doctrinal or historical theology.
Favorite Movies: Braveheart, Gladiator, Patriot, the Bourne series, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Caddyshack.
Weird Fact About Me: Julie stayed married to me despite the fact that I took her on a 24 mile backpacking trip (with several thousand feet gain of elevation!) on the first week of our "honeymoon" in the "romantic" Grand Teton National Park. Then she still stayed married to me despite the fact that our first real home was in the middle of the African "bush" with no electricity. Now, that's weird!