OUR STAFF IS HERE TO SERVE YOU.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Todd Cartwright, President
Doreen Gilfillen, Vice-President
Kylee Gregg, Secretary
Sheila Gregg, Historian
Jayne Iske, Treasurer
Todd Cartwright, President
Doreen Gilfillen, Vice-President
Kylee Gregg, Secretary
Sheila Gregg, Historian
Jayne Iske, Treasurer
Bio - Jimmy Porter, Pastor
Rev. Jimmy Porter, a native of Farley, Missouri, was born January 15, 1951, to the late James and Claire Porter. He is one of three children - one boy and two girls. As a child, Jimmy was blessed to be raised in a Christian home. Attending church regularly and sitting in the second row of a rural church pew, Jimmy obtained a strong interest in learning about the bible. At 10 years old Jimmy understood his need for salvation. Jimmy visited with the pastor and he explained God's plan of salvation in the Gospel of John and Jimmy prayed to receive Christ as his Savior.
Jimmy was baptized on Easter Sunday in 1961 at Hillsboro Christian Church. Five years later, when Jimmy was playing the piano for the Vacation Bible School closing program, the minister gave the invitation for Salvation and/or dedicating one's life to serve God. Jimmy accepted his calling to lead a life in ministry and to serve God. After graduating high school Jimmy went on to attend college. After one year he was drafted to serve in the United States Army for two years. Jimmy married his wife, Carol (Dover) Porter in April 1973 and began classes at Calvary Bible College in Spring 1975. Raising a family and working full-time, Jimmy eventually earned a double major in Pastoral Studies and Biblical History in 1994. In the spring of 1980, Jimmy traveled to Israel with Dr. Anderson to complete a history class. When he came home, Jimmy was giving a presentation on the trip to Israel at a local church. After the presentation, he was approached by three ladies from Ridgely Christian Church and they invited Jimmy to be their interim pastor. Jimmy began preaching at Ridgely Christian Church in July of 1980 and was ordained in a ceremony at Ridgely Christian Church in May of 1994. Pastor Jimmy is married to Carol (Dover) Porter and sharing in their joy are their three children: Ben Porter, Hannah Kasner, and Sam Porter; a son-in-law, Derek Kasner; two daughters-in-law Kelley Porter and Ashley Porter; and three grandchildren: Gabe and Claire Porter, and Carter Kasner. |
God very clearly opened the door for the opportunity to preach at a rural church north of Kansas City. I am blessed to teach God's word to those who seek it. Ridgely Christian Church is made of more than just people who fill the pews on Sunday morning. These people are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I have been the minister of Ridgely Christian Church for 36 years and I believe this is where I am to continue to lead a life in ministry and serve God.
During my time at RCC, I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to be the Executive Director of Changing Hearts Crusade since its inception in 2010, assist missionaries across the globe, and become a minister to a second church, Hillsboro Christian Church, which is the place where my life in ministry began. I truly understand my calling to work with rural churches. The congregations may be small, but the impact is large with the help of my Savior. My greatest accomplishment have been to raise my three children alongside my wife. We have watched our children accept Christ as their Savior and commit to serving God in their prospective churches with their families. - Jimmy Porter, Pastor 
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