Our Leadership
Pastors

Jeff Carlson
Lead Pastor

James Walsh
Community Life Pastor

Mark Whitehead
Student Ministries Pastor

Andrew Farmer
Creative Director & Online Campus Pastor

Zachary Rainey
Elementary Kids Pastor

Michael Ivy
Discipleship Pastor

Jim was born in Oxnard, California, and grew up in Lima, Ohio. In 1981 while attending Lima Technical College and working toward a computer programming degree and with aspirations of continuing onto law school, Jim sensed the call of God to full-time ministry. Jim and Robin both completed their pastoral studies at Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma in 1985 and 1984 respectively.
Jim and Robin devoted the first 25 years of their ministry years working with junior and high school students. Since 2009 Jim’s focus of ministry has been dedicated to worship, discipleship and outreach.
Jim and Robin have 5 children and 5 grandchildren: Torre (spouse Andrew; children Drew, Kylar, Bailey, Jordyn, and Kolbi), Shayna (spouse Andrew), Jaron (spouse Emily), Camryn (spouse McCade), and Brady.
Mark was born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana. Mark spent the first 2 years out of high school at serving at a program in Big Sandy, Texas designed to help out with natural disasters. His main focus was on Leadership and Leadership Development. After returning home to the Lafayette area he began at Purdue University. While studying Agricultural Economics he felt the call into full time ministry. Mark then transferred to North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he graduated with a bachelors degree in Youth Ministry a minor in Business. Over the next several years Mark and Ashley served as youth pastors at Living Waters Church in Salida, Colorado and at Topeka First Assembly in Topeka, Kansas.
They have served as youth pastors here at Connection Point Church since January 2017. Mark and Ashley have one son, Samuel Carter.
Andrew was born in Greeley, Colorado and grew up in West Lafayette, Indiana. In 2010 Andrew graduated from Evangel University with a bachelor’s degree in Film. While completing his Masters degree in 2012, he felt called to serve in his local church full time. After a year of volunteering he was hired on staff as the Creative Arts Director of Connection Point Church.
Andrew’s wife Torre is also one of our Worship Leaders in our Sunday morning services. Andrew and Torre have five children: Drew, Kylar, Bailey, Jordyn, and Kolbi.
Zack’s home town is Covington, Indiana. As a young man, he was baptized at First Christian Church and recognized a call to Christian ministry at First Assembly of God. He was baptized in the Holy Spirit while attending Zion Bible institute (East Providence, Rhode Island). After graduation, he served as the children’s pastor and Christian school administrator at Valparaiso Assembly of God (Valparaiso, Indiana). He and his wife, Elizabeth, were married there. Over the next 21 years, they taught at Full Gospel Bible Church Academy (Marion, South Dakota), pastored Covenant Assembly (of Porter County, Indiana), ministered as youth pastors at Bethel Assembly of God (Elkhart, Indiana), and pastored Kendallville Assembly of God (Kendallville, Indiana).
They have served at CPC since 2003. Zack ministered locally as a hospice chaplain for 11 years. Zack was licensed by the Indiana District Assemblies of God in 1987 and ordained 2 years later. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Zion/Northpoint Bible College in 2011. Lizzy is an awarded artist and an x-ray technologist at a local hospital. She and Zack have two granddaughters and four adult children: Sarah (husband Chet), Zack (wife Alana), Austin, and Jayson.
Michael was born and raised in Lafayette, IN. Having grown up in the church, Michael felt the call to ministry during his senior year of high school. After completing his undergraduate studies at Purdue University (BA Law & Society 2002), Michael went on to complete ministerial, biblical, and theological training through the Indiana School of Ministry (ISOM). Michael has served bi-vocationally as the Discipleship Pastor since 2018 while owning and operating several businesses with the intent to use every resource for Kingdom Impact.
Michael’s wife Shana volunteers throughout the community to “be Jesus” to others while they also serve together in various ministries at Connection Point Church and abroad. Together, Michael and Shana, have four children: Maleah, Kielyn, Kerington and Silas.
Narron was born in Watseka, IL and grew up in Boswell, IN. After graduating from Indiana State University with a degree in Physical Education, Narron began his teaching career in Colorado Springs, CO. As he taught, he sensed the call into ministry. That led him to the Indiana School of Ministry (ISOM) where he completed his ministerial training.
Serving bi-vocationally, Narron and his wife, Susanne, have led the Young Adult ministry at CPC since 2017. Narron and Susanne have 2 children: Emma and Cooper.