Partners & Ministry Strategists
Every Horizons ministry strategist has been extensively trained in all areas of Christian stewardship and discipleship. Each is a true ministry strategist trained to assist a church to grow and thrive in an ever changing environment. They understand that churches are not in the money business but the ministry business. On top of their advanced academic degrees in theology, finance and/or business, they have undergone training with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Easum-Bandy Associates, and Dr. Christopher's own personal training program.
J. Clif Christopher, President, CFRE
Clif founded the Horizons Stewardship Company in 1992 following a challenging career in pastoral ministry. He serves as the company’s CEO to this day. In his twenty years as a pastor, he led numerous major building and capital campaigns. Since founding Horizons, he has led consultations in over 400 churches, conferences, synods and diocese in all phases of building, finance, and church ...read more
Joseph W. Park, Executive VP, Partner
Joe joined Horizons in 2002, becoming a partner in 2009, following a career that saw him rise to be the CEO of a major bank holding company. He has since combined his keen financial skills with his heart for the Gospel to provide outstanding service to churches. Joe’s specializations are capital campaigns, stewardship audits, ministry audits, strategic planning and vision discernment for ...read more
Scott McKenzie, Ph.D., Senior Vice President
Scott McKenzie has over 15 years experience in stewardship development, capital campaigns, vision discernment and conflict management. During this time Scott has served churches and parishes all over the country including Roman Catholic, United Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal and Lutheran. Prior to his time in consulting, he was a local church pastor and the head of judicatory stewardship ...read more
David C. Lewis, D.Min., Vice President
David joined Horizons in 2003 after serving as a local church pastor for over thirty years. Twenty-one of those years he was the Executive Pastor of a 3,400 member congregation. In that capacity he was responsible for all matters relating to administration and stewardship. He is a certified church business administrator. David has unique skills in capital campaigns for medium-large churches, ...read more
Mike Hedges, M.A.
Mike joined Horizons in 1997 and is currently our most senior ministry strategist. Prior to joining the company Mike was on staff at the University of Arkansas as an economic development consultant. Over the years he has developed particular skills in working with new church starts, capital campaigns in small to medium congregations and strategic planning.read more
John E. Laster, M.S.
John became a part of Horizons in 2004 following a twenty year career in pastoral ministry and leadership consulting. For nine years John was a consultant with Bill Easum and Associates. He is the author of the book, Gaining Traction, that helps churches develop leadership teams. John specializes in capital campaigns, vision discernment, strategic mapping, stewardship audits and leadership ...read more
Kristine Miller, M.B.A., CFRE
Kristine joined Horizons in 2010 after consulting for over a decade with churches and non-profits. During that time she has assisted over 100 churches and judicatories fulfill God’s vision for their congregation or area. She is a frequent speaker on stewardship and fundraising at conferences and other events. In 2007, she was awarded the C.F.R.E. (Certified Fundraising Executive) credential ...read more
Franklin 'Zip' Long, M.Div.
Franklin ‘Zip’ Long has served over 3 decades in ministry, including eight years specializing in Christian financial stewardship. As a pastor in the local church for more than 22 years, ‘Zip’ served in a wide range of congregations from small rural parishes to suburban, mid-sized congregations to large urban, multi-staff settings. His ministry has always been focused ...read more
Richard L. Rogers,
Richard joined Horizons in 2010 after 20 years as a leader in Industry and the local church. After earning his degree from the University of Arkansas he spent 9 years in management with a Fortune 500 company. In 2000, Richard entered full time ministry. In addition to his duties as Administrator and Minister of Education in a growing and dynamic local church, he oversaw a $4 million campus ...read more
Dustin L. Cooper, M. Div.
The Rev. Dustin Cooper has been in ministry for over thirty years. The first twenty-five years he was a local church pastor with a great record of evangelism and stewardship. As a pastor he led six major capital efforts and several building campaigns.read more
Donald A. Smith, M.Div.
Don joined the Horizons team in 2006 after serving over twenty years in the local church. In his last appointment he started a new congregation and grew it to over 1,000 persons in just a few years. Don is a much sought after advisor to judicatories around the country on new church starts and finance. His specialties are church planting and capital campaigns for churches ranging from medium to ...read more
John Allen, D.Min.
John became a part of Horizons in 2004. He has served as a pastor in some of his denominations largest churches for over thirty years. John has particular skills at diagnosing problems in a church and designing unique solutions. His specialties are vision casting, ministry audits, and capital campaigns.read more
Ed Simpson, D.Min.
Ed began consulting churches in 1982. After being trained by the Southern Baptist Convention, he became the lead consultant for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention until he joined Horizons in 2004. With over thirty five years of pastoral experience, Ed knows firsthand the dynamics of leading churches to attain their vision. Eight times he successfully led his congregations in construction ...read more
Walter L. Smith, D. Min.
Walter joined Horizons in 2007. He has been a pastor for thirty years. He also serves as a Command Chaplain in the Air Force reserve with the rank of Colonel.read more
Lisa Greenwood, M. Div.
Lisa joined Horizons in 2008. She has had a career as a pastor that spans nearly eighteen years. In that time she has not only served a church but been asked to serve in regional and national leadership posts on behalf of her church. Lisa is very skilled in helping develop pastoral leadership, stewardship audits, and capital campaigns for emerging churches to be transformed to better make ...read more
Preston Maxwell, Director of Church Cultivation
Preston Maxwell has over 10 years of experience in business to business customer service and marketing. He is passionate about the proper administration and stewardship of the local church. He has served in variety of church ministry roles for the last 12 years. He is a skilled storyteller, inspirational speaker and motivator. Preston is gifted in building relationships with a variety of church ...read more
Paul M. Gardner, Ph.D., CFRE
Paul brings over 40 years of “in the trenches” fundraising experience to our clients. He has served a variety of organizations, including schools, colleges and universities, retirement and long term care organizations, international development agencies, health care, youth agencies, arts organizations, and numerous churches. He has been a part of capital campaigns whose combined goals ...read more
