
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.