Our Team

From the Coal Camps of Southern West Virginia to the Senior Pastor Position at Life Church comes Pastor Paul Furrow.

Born in a Coal Camp in Southern West Virginia, the last of thirteen children, I was raised on a farm by wonderful parents who loved God. My Dad was involved in the ministry of church planting and pastoring for 47 years. What a wonderful heritage I have.

My musical ministry began at 10 years of age, and encompassed 21 years of full or part time work in music evangelism. I graduated from Princeton High School in Princeton, WV. I received an Associate in Arts degree from Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, GA. and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Bluefield State College in Bluefield, WV.

I have been very active in Missions ministry around the world. I have served as Assistant Pastor, Youth Pastor, Bus Pastor, Music Pastor, Church Planter, and District Presbyter. Thirty years of our ministry has been devoted to serving congregations as Senior Pastor in Indiana, West Virginia, and Virginia. My wife Shirley and children Jason and Karen have stood with me as wonderful helpers through the years.

My heart is to serve my Heavenly Father. I desire to give Him the best possible return from the gifts and talents He has given me.

I was Born in San Angelo, TX, but I grew up in the flatlands of Kansas. My parents have always been involved in ministry, so, at a young age I became very aware of God’s heart for people and what is most valuable in this life.

I am one of eight children and four of them are an adopted family. I was six when I got my new brother and sisters. There names are Polly, Jeri, Ashley, and Justin. My other siblings by birth are Sara, Nathan, and Anna.

I graduated from high school at 18 and went to Teen Mania Ministries in East Texas. There I attended the Honor Academy for 2 years and then stayed another 3 years as staff. I had the incredible experience of serving in the missions department. We sent teen groups all over the world to over 25 countries every year to spread the good news of Christ! My last 2 years there I supervised the new worship program on the campus called School of Worship. I worked with several noted youth bands across the country and helped raise up several youth bands from among my students. These same bands today are touring with Acquire the Fire Conferences leading thousands of teenagers and parents into the presence of God through worship.

If you can’t tell yet…I love God and I love to worship Him in song! However, I have learned to worship Him in every area of my life as He draws me closer to Him and gives me the grace and strength to walk this narrow road with Him.

Now I am here by the leading of our Lord, and it brings me great pleasure to serve the Youth of Life Church!

Last, but not least, I AM GETTING MARRIED!!! My fiancé, Amy Blanton, and I are looking ahead to a bright future serving God and Life Church together. She is my best friend and I cannot wait for all of you to get to know her.

MUCH LOVE,

Ben Spencer

I like to joke with people that I cut my teeth on a church pew, which is probably pretty close to the truth! Born and raised in the mountains of Pennsylvania, I had the privilege of being brought up in a Godly home by two wonderful parents along with my three fun and crazy sisters! I attended the same Assemblies of God church and private Christian school my whole life! I have been singing in churches since I was five, lead children’s church since I was thirteen, went on my first missions trip when I was 14, and was on the worship team at church when I was 15. I asked Jesus into my heart as a child and have “grown up” with Him, experiencing a call to full time ministry at a very young age. Jesus is my best friend and I hold to Psalms 71:17-18 “Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.”

I graduated high school when I was 16 and went on to attend World Harvest Bible College where I studied music and Bible; graduating Magna Cum Laude. I worked for two years as a youth pastor in Pennsylvania, and have now been serving at Life church as the children’s pastor for almost 9 years. My college sweetheart, Josh, and I will be celebrating our ten year wedding anniversary this year and we have two adorable little boys, Asher, age 5, and Levi, age 3. My husband and children work right along side of me, ministering to the children and families of our church and community—we make a great team! It is my desire to pass on the spiritual heritage that God has given to me not only to my own children, but also to the children that he brings into our church and ministry. They are gifts of God to me!

Deacons
Stig Broman
Barry Eiffert
Josh Cummings
Doug Cancila
Chris Coppler
Ken Landry