About Our Board
Pastors Jay and Melanie, and the leadership of The Refuge, understand the importance of submission, spiritual covering, and accountability. The Board of Directors consists of men and women, who operate in five fold ministry gifts (Ephesians 4) and/or gifts of administration (I Corinthians 12) for the purpose of bringing wisdom and counsel as well as accountability to all aspects of ministry at The Refuge. The members of our board have been drawn together from various national ministries as well as from within our local expression. While the Board of Directors convenes annually, there is consistent communication throughout the year (including the review of quarterly financial reports).
Ephesians 4:11-13
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 5:19-21
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Craig Malz
Craig Malz has been a member of The Refuge since its earliest days. As an industrial engineer who “problem solves” in his occupation, he serves on our board to lend both practical and profound spiritual advice. Craig is thought of as “a minister disguised as an engineer.” He lives in Concord with his wife, Angela, and two children.
Dean Thomas
Dean Thomas is a lifetime resident of Concord, and a highly respected businessman in the Charlotte area as the President & CEO of DataDoc Imaging Service. He brings wisdom to our board as a marketplace representative of Christ. Dean and his wife, Kathy, along with their daughter Katy (and their late son Garrett) are founding members of The Refuge.
Teri Furr
Teri Furr serves as an Executive Pastor at The Refuge, and founder of Serenade Ministries. She leads and encourages the women of The Refuge and women around the world through her anointed gift in speaking and preaching. She has journeyed with Pastors Jay and Melanie for many years, carrying and executing their heart in ministry. Pastor Teri lives in Concord, NC with her husband Tim and daughter, Amelia.
Jimmy Johns
Jimmy Johns is the Comptroller of New Life Christian Fellowship in Jacksonville, Florida. His background as CPA, great knowledge of church and tax law, plus his great love for God and the Church, make him a great asset to our board. Jimmy and his wife, Iris, live in Jacksonville, FL.
Johnny Jernigan
Johnny Jernigan is the Lead Pastor of the City Church of Mobile in Mobile, Alabama. Prior to founding the City Church in 2006, Johnny was an international evangelist, heralding his community outreach strategies and holding revival services in churches and venues around the world. He and his wife, Karen, have three children.
Sean Smith
Sean is the founder of Sean Smith Ministries/Pointblank International and has been in ministry for 25 years. He and his wife, Christa, have two children, Brandon and Brittany. Sean has been involved in university outreaches, mission trips, conferences, Bible schools and body ministry for the entirety of his time in ministry. Sean has authored 3 books including “I Am Your Sign” and has partnered with Jesus Culture to raise up a generation of new breed revivalists. Currently his ministry offices are in San Ramon, CA and he travels as an evangelist, equipper & revivalist to stir God’s people to fullness, while staying active in the harvest fields of the nations.
Paul Zink
Bishop Paul Zink is Lead Pastor and founder of New Life Christian Fellowship in Jacksonville, Florida, and the founder of New Life International. He is our covering Pastor, with a heart to father and impart wisdom to other Pastors. Bishop Zink serves on the boards of various ministries, including Dr. Cho’s board, in Sol Korea. He and his wife, Sharon, have 3 sons who are all in the ministry.
Rusty Nelson
Rusty Nelson is the Lead Pastor of The Rock Family Worship Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He and his wife Leisa pioneered The Rock in 1999. Since that time, their church has grown from 13 people to over 4000 with 4 campuses. Before founding The Rock, Rusty served as a Senior Associate and Worship Leader at New Life Christian Fellowship in Jacksonville, Florida. Rusty was also a recording artist with Integrity Music. Rusty and Leisa have 4 children.
Scott Volk
Scott Volk is Messianic Jew who came to faith in 1975. After graduating from North Central University in Minneapolis in 1988, Scott has served in various pastoral capacities in Arizona, Florida, and North Carolina. After more than 20 years in pastoral ministry, Scott founded Together For Israel, a non-profit ministry that exists to partner with the Church for the salvation of Israel (Rom 11:26). Scott and his wife Beth have been married for over 25 years and have a heart to see Jew and Gentile united as ‘one new man’ in the Messiah. They have five children and reside in Charlotte, North Carolina.
John Hannah
John Hannah Pastor John F. Hannah is the founder and lead pastor of New Life Covenant Church Southeast, a non-denominational, multicultural church on the Southside of Chicago. Presently, the church has grown to nearly 30,000 members, including online membership. In addition to pastoring, he is committed to teaching others how to grow their relationship with God through prayer. He is also the best-selling author of What to Do While You’re Waiting and Desperate for Jesus. John F. Hannah lives in Chicago, IL with his wife of 26 years, Anna Hannah – who also serves alongside him. She is dedicated to supporting his vision and the mission of New Life Covenant Southeast.