Pastor Jared was confirmed as our senior pastor in July, 2018. Prior to his position at Valley View, he served as Associate Pastor for nine years at Teays Valley Baptist Church in Hurricane, WV. Before his arrival at Teays Valley, he served in the US Army Reserves for eight years and was deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. He graduated from Pensacola Christian College having received the schools top honor, the President’s Citation of Merit.

Pastor Jared also has a heart for missions and has overseen missions support to over 170 missionaries and has traveled to over 30 different countries leading teams, training nationals, and preaching revivals and conferences. He also serves as a traveling professor for Global Bible University in Nicaragua. He has a true passion for preaching and loves practical Bible exposition.

Pastor Jared has a true vision for Valley View Baptist Church. In his own words:

“There is nothing on this earth more equipped to change the world than the local church. The church is the body of Christ and is intended by God to be the instrument by which the gospel is sent to the farthest reaches of the earth and the closest corners of our neighborhood. I believe firmly that God’s work done God’s way cannot fail. My heart’s desire is to see God accomplish His plan concerning His church. My prayer is that I get to be a part of that plan.”

Pastor Jared serves faithfully with his wife, Alma Lee, and their three girls: Emma, Abbie, and Ava.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts degree from Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, FL in 2009
· Awarded the President’s Citation of Merit (College’s Top Honor).
· Major: Pastoral Ministries
· Minor: Missions

Chris Elgin grew up in a Christian home and developed a love for the music ministry at a young age. His grandpa was a faithful pastor for many years and his mother was the church pianist. He accepted Christ as his personal savior at the age of 14.

After Graduating from Temple Baptist Academy in Powell. He attended Crown College majoring in Music. He later married his high school sweetheart and moved to Michigan where he directed the Prairie Baptist Church choir for 4 years.

In 2004 he returned to Knoxville, TN where he worked as production manager of a large painting company and was faithfully involved in his church choir and music ministry. In 2012 he started his own painting company Legacy Painting which he still enjoys running today.

While only being on staff part-time at Valley View Baptist Church, his first passion is music. His role as director of music includes leading in corporate worship, directing the choir, coordinating special music, helping prepare small ensembles and soloists. He enjoys time-honored, traditional hymns as well as modern Christ honoring music. It is his goal to prepare hearts for the preaching of God’s word.

Bro. Chris and his wife Becki were married on July 18,1998 and have been blessed with four children Anna, Griffin, Brooklyn, and Ali Jo.

Education:
Ministry of Music Studies, The Crown College of the Bible