Reverend Jeffery McGirt, D. Min.
Dr. Jeff McGirt is the Administrative Bishop of Alaska. Prior to this appointment, Dr. McGirt served with Lee University since 2014 as the Director of Lee University’s Graduate Enrollment, and Director of Lee University Charlotte Center. Prior to his experience with Lee he served first as associate pastor then as senior pastor of East Laurinburg Church of God for 26 years. Dr. McGirt has served on both the State Council and Evangelism and Home Missions boards during his tenure as pastor.
Dr. McGirt earned his undergraduate degree from UNC-Pembroke in Elementary Education and was a certified K-4 teacher before entering full-time ministry. He later received both his M.Div. and doctorate from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. He has preached at churches across the Southeast and been involved in state camp meetings and prayer conferences, including New Mexico and the state of Kentucky. Raised in Maxton, North Carolina, Dr. McGirt now lives with his wife, Barbara, in Anchorage Alaska.
Jeff has always had a passion for the outdoors, cold weather, and anything “Alaska.”
Barbara McGirt, M. A. Min.
Barbara McGirt serves as the Women’s Ministry Coordinator for Alaska. Previously, Barbara served alongside her husband Jeff who was the senior pastor of East Laurinburg Church of God for 26 years. During this time, Barbara served on both the State Girl’s Ministry Committee and the Home for Children Board of Directors. Most recently, she served in the role of Graduate Admissions Coordinator at Lee University.
Barbara earned her undergraduate degree from Lee University (BA Liberal Studies), as well as her Master’s Degree (MA Ministry Studies: Youth and Family Emphasis). Raised primarily in North Carolina, Barbara now calls Anchorage home. She and Jeff have two children, Christian Hughes (and husband Carson) of Cleveland, Tennessee and Samuel McGirt of Washington, D.C.
J. Cory Brown, M.A.O.L.
Cory Brown serves as the State Youth and Discipleship Director of Alaska. Before this appointment, he dedicated 16 years as Associate Pastor at BibleWay Assembly in Foley, Alabama. During that time, he ministered across the southeastern United States and in more than 20 countries worldwide. Missions has been central to his calling, with ongoing ministry initiatives in the Middle East, Cuba, and Africa. Among his most fulfilling ministry opportunities have been preaching the National Youth Convention in Cuba and helping plant a church in Santiago de Cuba, the nation’s second-largest city.
Cory holds a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Columbia Southern University and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Waldorf University. Professionally, he has served in higher education leadership, most recently as Vice President for Online Operations, Marketing, and Outreach at Waldorf University.
Cory and his wife, Kirsten, are blessed with two children, Harper and Hudson. Together, they also pastor Harvest Christian Fellowship in Eagle River, Alaska, alongside their work in the state office.