Professional Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Local and Global Speaking Engagements
Timeline

Jacoba Anderson

First Baptist Church
Baxter,MN
Jacoba Anderson
28
Years of experience

Dynamic Lead Pastor and missional leader with a proven track record in church revitalization and planting, dedicated to fostering community engagement and spiritual growth. Skilled communicator and elder trainer, adept at mentoring and coaching individuals to reach their full potential. Passionate about supporting young families and encouraging the global church through innovative outreach initiatives. Committed to creating an inclusive environment that nurtures faith and empowers congregations to thrive.

Work History

Lead Pastor

9 Years 6 Months
First Baptist Church | 03.2017 - Current
  • Serve as a spiritual leader for congregation
  • Conducted weekly sermons and teaching sessions to engage congregation
  • Formed and modified systems to enhance church operations.
  • Discerning, casting, and communicating the vision for the church.
  • Fundraised both inside and outside the church to support ministry initiatives.
  • Recruit, manage, and coordinate large volunteer base
  • Train elders for the work of shepherding the flock using a robust process
  • Train potential leaders in homiletics
  • Provide counseling for the body
  • Provide counselor training as a certified prepare enrich trainer
  • Clarified and revamped congregational policies to align with church vision and enhance effectiveness
  • Responsible for the formation and modification of systems

Educational Leadership Consultant

9 Months
National School Safety Consulting | 05.2019 - 02.2020
  • Conducted educational workshops for educators across Minnesota
  • Delivered presentations to large groups of school staff throughout Minnesota
  • Developed comprehensive school safety plans in collaboration with educational leaders.
  • Facilitated training sessions for school staff on crisis management and emergency preparedness.
  • Conducted assessments of existing safety protocols to identify areas for improvement.

Lead Pastor/Planting Pastor

7 Years 1 Month
The Crossing Church | 01.2010 - 02.2017
  • Serve as a spiritual leader for congregation
  • Delivered sermons weekly to congregation
  • Coordinated and motivated large volunteer base to support ministry initiatives
  • Manage, motivate and coordinate large volunteer base
  • Manage multiple paid staff
  • Develop young leaders and equip them for ministry
  • Formed and modified systems
  • Cast and communicated vision for the church
  • Develop key relationships with community leaders
  • Led fundraising efforts both inside and outside the church
  • Developed elders and deacons
  • Provided pre-marital counseling as a certified prepare enrich instructor

Associate (Interim) Pastor

1 Year 5 Months
Conference Baptist Church | 07.2008 - 12.2009
  • Assisted in casting vision for the church
  • Served as a spiritual leader for the congregation
  • Coordinated and motivated large volunteer base to support church activities and initiatives
  • Delivered regular sermons to engage and inspire congregation members
  • Led community outreach programs
  • Manage, motivate and coordinate large volunteer base
  • Oversaw visitation ministry to foster connections and support for growing church community
  • Contributed to the constitutional committee

Worship Arts/Associate Pastor

3 Years 2 Months
Conference Baptist Church | 05.2005 - 07.2008
  • Oversaw and developed all aspects of worship ministry to enhance congregational engagement
  • Lead worship for weekly worship services
  • Manage, motivate and coordinate large volunteer base
  • Preached to the congregation on designated occasions
  • Led worship for weekly services to facilitate spiritual growth and connection among attendees
  • Direct a 30+ member adult choir for worship
  • Planned, promoted, and executed special events and concerts to foster community involvement
  • Plan and coordinated special seasonal programs (including managing children’s volunteers)
  • Led committee meetings to discuss initiatives and strategies
  • Facilitated small group discussions to foster community and engagement
  • Provided mentorship to individuals to enhance leadership skills
  • Engaged with individuals across various age groups to build relationships
  • Committee Chairmen

Customer Service Agent (while beginning seminary)

1 Year
Great Lakes Airlines | 05.2004 - 05.2005
  • Managed customer service inquiries at point of sale
  • Awarded for outstanding customer service
  • Resolved customer inquiries through clear communication and effective problem-solving techniques.
  • Managed flight reservations, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in booking processes.
  • Trained new staff on customer service protocols and operational procedures to enhance team performance.

Sales Associate/ Licensed Insurance Agent

6 Months
Cornerstone America | 10.2003 - 04.2004
  • Managed client relationships, ensuring high satisfaction through tailored service
  • Consulted with potential clients to understand their needs and meet their needs with the correct product
  • Expanded client base through targeted outreach efforts through various lead generation methods

Sales Associate/ Licensed Insurance Agent

3 Years 3 Months
AFLAC | 06.2000 - 09.2003
  • Established clients through cold calling and telephone prospecting, enhancing client base
  • Received multiple awards for outstanding sales performance
  • Developed relationships and contacts through networking and interpersonal communication, expanding referral opportunities
  • Conducted group meetings on-site in businesses, driving over 50% increase in sales

Marketing Manager

11 Months
Volkart May & Associates, Inc. | 05.2002 - 04.2003
  • Develop and implement lead generation program to attract potential clients
  • Coordinate marketing efforts across print, email, and advertising channels to enhance brand visibility
  • Oversee existing accounts while cultivating new business relationships
  • Manage multiple employees in a call center environment

Event Coordinator and Supervisor

3 Years 7 Months
Burns International Security (Now Securitas) | 10.1998 - 05.2002
  • Coordinated and managed security operations for large events, ensuring safety and compliance for all attendees
  • Established and evaluated systems and processes to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery
  • Coordinate and manage security operations for large events
  • Developed relationships with clients including University of Minnesota, Minnesota Vikings, Dayton’s Challenge, and 3M Championship, delivering customized services tailored to their needs
  • Develop leadership and dynamic public speaking skills through high-level management responsibilities

Education

Leadership Coach - certification by the International Coaching Federation (ICF)

PROFESSIONAL CHRISTIAN COACH INSTITUTE | Edgar Springs | 09.2026

Currently pursuing

Master of Divinity

LUTHER RICE UNIVERSITY | Lithonia, Georgia | 05.2009

Master of Arts - Leadership

LUTHER RICE UNIVERSITY | Lithonia, Georgia | 05.2007

Bachelors of Arts - Communication

BETHEL UNIVERSITY | St. Paul, Minnesota | 05.2002
Minor in Music

Skills

Leadership experience
Excellent oral
and written communication skills
Vision casting
Extensive leadership experience and study
Sermon planning
Thrives under pressure
Leader development
Worship leadership
Customer service excellence
Advanced computer literacy
Adaptability and learning
Conflict resolution
Vision development
Excellent listening skills
Ability to excel in stressful situations where multi-tasking is involved
Much experience in providing extraordinary customer service
Extremely strong computer skills
Willingness and ability to learn and adapt in various situations
Effective preaching
Discipleship development

Local and Global Speaking Engagements

  • Keynote speaker at International Messengers staff conference — November 2023 — Cairo, Egypt
  • Keynote speaker at International Messengers staff conference — November 2021 — Istanbul, Turkey
  • Keynote speaker and teacher at family and youth camps — 2017-2023 — Central MN
  • Speaker at refuge discipleship camp — February 2016 — Larnaca, Cyprus
  • Keynote speaker at central Asia Cru conference — September 2014 — Almaty, Kazakhstan

Timeline

Educational Leadership Consultant

National School Safety Consulting
05.2019 - 02.2020Read More

Lead Pastor

First Baptist Church
03.2017 - CurrentRead More

Lead Pastor/Planting Pastor

The Crossing Church
01.2010 - 02.2017Read More

Associate (Interim) Pastor

Conference Baptist Church
07.2008 - 12.2009Read More

Worship Arts/Associate Pastor

Conference Baptist Church
05.2005 - 07.2008Read More

Customer Service Agent (while beginning seminary)

Great Lakes Airlines
05.2004 - 05.2005Read More

Sales Associate/ Licensed Insurance Agent

Cornerstone America
10.2003 - 04.2004Read More

Marketing Manager

Volkart May & Associates, Inc.
05.2002 - 04.2003Read More

Sales Associate/ Licensed Insurance Agent

AFLAC
06.2000 - 09.2003Read More

Event Coordinator and Supervisor

Burns International Security (Now Securitas)
10.1998 - 05.2002Read More

BETHEL UNIVERSITY

Bachelors of Arts from Communication
Read More

LUTHER RICE UNIVERSITY

Master of Arts from Leadership
Read More

LUTHER RICE UNIVERSITY

Master of Divinity
Read More

PROFESSIONAL CHRISTIAN COACH INSTITUTE

Leadership Coach from certification by the International Coaching Federation (ICF)
Read More
Jacoba Anderson