Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Affiliations
Awards
Timeline
Generic

The Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr.

Canai Winchester,USA

Summary

The Reverend Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr., is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) United States and Canada. He recently retired after 42 years of ministerial service. From January 2019 to his December 2025 retirement, Dr. Sullivan served as executive director of the Columbus-based Ohio Council of Churches. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Sullivan is an ecumenist, preacher, justice advocate, journalist, and death penalty abolitionist. In recognition of his work to stop executions, Dr. Sullivan was given the 2025 Faithful Servant Award by the Hunger Network in Ohio, the 2022 Death Penalty Abolition Award by Restorative Justice International, and the 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Social Justice Award by Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission. In 2019 Dr. Sullivan was given the Humanitarian Award from the Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center of Findlay, Ohio, and the 2019 Victims Services Award from Journey of Hope From Violence to Healing. Dr. Sullivan received the 2018 African American Liberation Award from the National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work History

Adjunct Instructor

Center for Ministry and Lay Training, Phillips Theological Seminary
Tulsa, OK
01.2021 - Current
  • Developed and implemented engaging online curriculum for diverse adult learners.
  • Facilitated interactive classroom discussions to enhance student comprehension and participation.
  • Provided mentorship to students in clinical settings, fostering professional development and ethical practice.
  • Evaluated student performance through assessments, providing constructive feedback for improvement.

Regional Minister and President

Northwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Seattle, WA
05.1998 - 09.2026

Duties included providing pastoral care and support to pastors and congregations (in Washington, Northern Idaho and Alaska), collegial support and oversight of staff, supervise day-to-day operations, and represent the region in denominational, ecumenical, interfaith, and civic arenas. Strengthened denominational and ecumenical relationships and formed the region's first anti-racism/pro-reconciliation ministry team.

Executive Director

The Ohio Council of Churches
Columbus, OH
01.2019 - 12.2025
  • Led strategic initiatives to enhance community engagement and interfaith collaboration.
  • Developed and implemented programs addressing social justice and humanitarian needs.
  • Fostered partnerships with local organizations to expand outreach efforts and resource availability.
  • Oversaw budget management, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and mission effectiveness.

Senior Pastor

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Findlay, OH
01.2017 - 12.2018
  • Led worship services, fostering spiritual growth and community engagement.
  • Developed and implemented educational programs for diverse congregational needs.
  • Provided pastoral care, counseling individuals and families in crisis situations.
  • Managed church operations, ensuring alignment with mission and vision of the congregation.

Executive Director

Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation
Raleigh, NC
10.2015 - 08.2016

Responsibilities included charting a direction for this national victims' families-led anti-death penalty organization, and for guiding day-to-day operations, providing staff supervision, budget oversight, and crafting communications and fundraising strategies. Duties also involved serving as the organization's lead spokesperson and representative.

Regional Minister and President

Christian Church (Disciples Of Christ) In Pennsylvania
Greensburg, PA
10.2011 - 06.2014

Was responsible for providing spiritual leadership, pastoral care, and supportive oversight to the Region's 70 congregations while managing a budget of $400,000, supervising staff, attending to the daily operations, and interpreting the church's mission in ways that enhance the financial support from congregations and individuals. Ministry tasks also included coaching volunteers, instituting vision-based planning, the coordination of ministries, and strengthening the Region's denominational, ecumenical, interfaith, and civic relationships.

Senior Pastor

Fifth Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Cleveland, OH
08.2007 - 09.2011

Ministry included service as lead pastor and teacher of the faith, and work as the congregation's chief administrative officer. In addition, this leadership post included planning and conducting worship, preaching, supervising, and coaching staff, counseling and caring for members, and representing the congregation in denominational, ecumenical and civic forums. AIDS and Tutorial Ministries were initiated.

Interim Pastor

Mercer Island United Methodist Church
Mercer Island, WA
09.2006 - 06.2007
  • Led worship services, fostering community engagement and spiritual growth.
  • Developed sermon content, integrating biblical teachings with contemporary issues.
  • Coordinated church events, enhancing fellowship and outreach initiatives.
  • Mentored lay leaders, empowering them to take active roles in ministry.

Education

Bachelor of Science -

Ohio University

Master of Divinity - undefined

Lexington Theological Seminary

Doctor of Ministry - undefined

United Theological Seminary
Dayton

Honorary Doctorates - undefined

Bethany College, Heidelberg University
Bethany, Tiffin, West Virginia, Ohio

Skills

  • Community engagement
  • Program management
  • Strategic planning
  • Budgeting and financial management
  • Staff management
  • Relationship build
  • Online teaching
  • Student engagement
  • Syllabus development
  • Pastoral counseling
  • Pastoral care
  • Spiritual leadership

Affiliations

  • Governing Board chairperson of the national death penalty abolition organization, Journey of Hope From Violence to Healing
  • Co-president of the Disciples Justice Action Network
  • Advisory Board member of Catholic Mobilizing Network; Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio; Death Penalty Action; Restorative Justice International; and the United States Global Leadership Council
  • Immediate past Board chair of Ohioans to Stop Executions
  • Former Steering Committee member of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty
  • Life memberships in the NAACP and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
  • Member of the Faith and Order Commission and Governing Board of the National Council of Churches
  • Additional memberships in the Mount Zion Baptist Church Preservation Society of Athens, Ohio; the National Association of Black Journalists; the Society of Professional Journalists; the Academy of Homiletics; the Lions Club of Canal Winchester, Ohio; and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers

Awards

2025 Faithful Servant Award by the Hunger Network in Ohio, 2022 Death Penalty Abolition Award by Restorative Justice International, 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Social Justice Award by Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, 2019 Humanitarian Award from the Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center of Findlay, Ohio, 2019 Victims Services Award from Journey of Hope From Violence to Healing, 2018 African American Liberation Award from the National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Timeline

Adjunct Instructor

Center for Ministry and Lay Training, Phillips Theological Seminary
01.2021 - Current

Executive Director

The Ohio Council of Churches
01.2019 - 12.2025

Senior Pastor

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
01.2017 - 12.2018

Executive Director

Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation
10.2015 - 08.2016

Regional Minister and President

Christian Church (Disciples Of Christ) In Pennsylvania
10.2011 - 06.2014

Senior Pastor

Fifth Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
08.2007 - 09.2011

Interim Pastor

Mercer Island United Methodist Church
09.2006 - 06.2007

Regional Minister and President

Northwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
05.1998 - 09.2026

Master of Divinity - undefined

Lexington Theological Seminary

Doctor of Ministry - undefined

United Theological Seminary

Honorary Doctorates - undefined

Bethany College, Heidelberg University

Bachelor of Science -

Ohio University