1. I sensed the call of God to evangelism as a teenager and after serving 7
years as Associate Pastor at the First Church of the
Nazarene in Mount Vernon, Ohio, entered into revival
ministry full-time in 1990. For nearly 21 years I averaged
more than 40 meetings per year preaching and singing in
local church revivals, youth camps, district camp
meetings, denominational meetings and various other
gatherings. It was a true blessing to fulfill God’s call
through preaching, music and Gospel magic. As I look
back through my journals from several years ago, I find
that even then I had been asking the question, “What else
do You have in store for us, Lord?”
My schedule was full and our ministry was going
well when I received the invitation to interview in Gallatin,
Tennessee for the position of Senior Pastor. After
prayerful consideration and a favorable congregational
vote, we sold our home in Mount Vernon, Ohio, pulled up
stakes from more than 30 years, and relocated to begin
our ministry in Gallatin.
The ministry gifts God developed in me as a “full-
program” evangelist were especially useful in this new
assignment. I was able to reach many people with the
Good News through strong expositional preaching and
inspirational music. I also enjoy ministering to children
through the art of Gospel magic.
We found many wonderful people in the church in
Gallatin and God used us to make a difference in their
lives. We received more than twenty new members and
baptized nearly twice that many. It was a joy to pour our
lives into our people.
Tim & JoAnne Hancock
3813 Osprey Pointe Circle
Winter Haven, Florida 33884
pastortimhancock@gmail.com
615-854-3597
1983
Graduated from
College
Married JoAnne
Began full-time
Ministry
600
Churches in
which I have
served
1
Supreme desire:
that I may be like
Jesus
Wife - JoAnne
Daughter – Abi
NUMBERS
2. 2
As a pastoral family we opened our home for a young
adult and college ministry, providing a place for this group
to fellowship and grow. As part of my personal outreach I
played on our men’s softball team where I formed
friendships with a number of un-churched young men.
Another highlight was periodically visiting our senior
adults and shut-ins who remarked that our visits made
them feel more connected to the church. And, frankly,
nothing brings you closer to a family than spending time with them socially or when
they find themselves in the hospital or at a funeral home.
In January of 2013 I resigned my position as Senior Pastor in Gallatin and
began a journey that has served to draw me closer to Jesus and my family. During
that time, I served as the Interim Pastor of the Indianapolis Westside Church of the
Nazarene, and was the featured preacher and singer at various Camp Meetings,
Minister’s Retreats and local church revivals.
In December, 2013 I accepted the call from the Winter Haven First Church
of the Nazarene where I now serve as the Executive Pastor.
Thank you for your consideration.
Tim Hancock
Tim and Jo at
Sanibel Island
Jo and Abi
at EPCOT
3. 3
Summary of
qualifications
March, 1983 – February 1990
Associate Pastor – Mount Vernon, Ohio
3/83 – 8/87 – Youth/College Ministries
9/87 – 2/90 – Worship Arts/Christian Education
North Central Ohio District NYI (Student Ministries)
President (’86-’90)
3/90 – 2/2011 Full-Program Revivalist/Evangelist
5/08 – 9/08 Interim Pastor, Clearwater, Florida
6/09 – 9/09 Interim Pastor, South Charleston, WVa
3/11 – 3/13 Lead Pastor, Gallatin, Tennessee
3/13 – 9/13 Interim pastor, Indianapolis, Indiana
12/13 – Present Executive Pastor, Winter Haven, Florida
Education
Mount Vernon Nazarene College, 1978 – 1983
BA Philosophy/Humanities
Adult Studies (MVNC) Course of Study for Ordination
Ordained an Elder, 1988
Publications Contributor for “Our Daily Bread”, Spring, 2011
Writing a view from the road, humorous experiences as
an Itinerant Evangelist (working title: “Pastoring the Small
Church and How to Keep it That Way.”)
Writing an expositional survey of Paul’s letter to the Galatians
based on my preaching from that letter.
4. 4
Professional
memberships
President of the Gallatin Ministerial Association
Fellowship of Christian Magicians (FCM) International
Vice-President of the Middle Tennessee (FCM) Chapter
Community
activities
Sumner County Food Bank Supporter
Speaker, National Day of Prayer Service
Prayer at City Council and County Commissioners’ meetings
Community Thanksgiving Services (Communion)
Habilitation and Training Services of Sumner County Board
of Directors
Objective To fulfill the call of God by serving as Pastor to a local
church congregation and their community.
Interests and
activities
Golf, Physical Fitness, DIY projects, building model cars
5. 5
Family Information:
My wife is JoAnne Merki Hancock.
Our daughter is Abigail Ruth Hancock (5/23/96)
JoAnne and I were married March 26, 1983, and have served Christ’s
Church faithfully in various roles and locations. As Ministry Staff members we led
a student ministry that grew to nearly 100 on a weekly basis. I led a music and
small group ministries that showed consistent growth. As a Revivalist, I was
privileged to preach and sing in churches across the country ranging in size from
5 (on a snow-storm Monday night) to 25,000 at a denominational gathering. I was
able to assist three churches through pastoral transitions and aided in their healing
and vision-casting. In my present assignment, I have been tasked with helping to
bring an 85-year-old, firmly established, deeply traditional congregation into the
21st century. It has been a great joy to minister to God’s people.
JoAnne and I are blessed with a wonderful Christian heritage. We were
both raised in pastor’s homes and we saw the reality of a personal relationship
with Jesus lived out daily by our parents. Our hope and prayer is that we have
modeled that same reality for Abi and the others to whom we have had the privilege
of ministering.
JoAnne is the administrative assistant to the
District Superintendent at the Florida District Resource
Center in Lakeland, Florida. She holds a BA from Mount
Vernon Nazarene College. Jo is a gracious hostess and
entertainer and loves having people in our home.
She is a tremendous “behind the scenes” supporter.
Abi graduated from High School in May, 2013, a full
year early and as Co-Salutatorian. She is in her third year
at Olivet Nazarene University where she is in the Honor’s
Program and is a Preaching Ambassador. Abi also works
in the Office of the President, and is a volunteer in the
Children’s Ministry department at a local church.
In July, 2013, Abi went to Peru with Big World
Ventures and during the summer of 2015 spent 6 weeks in
the Republic of Congo. Her call is to be a Sociologist/
Missionary/ Children’s Minister and to work with young
women freed from human trafficking.
6. 6
Testimony
Being raised in a pastor’s home had its advantages. I was introduced to the
church and to Jesus at an early age. I’m not sure there was a time when I
“rebelled”, but I knew that I was lost. My Dad was invited to preach in several
special services at a small church in West Virginia and I was able to attend with
him. Following his message one night, I responded to the invitation and
surrendered my life to Jesus at the age of 11.
Experiencing the typical teen-aged angst, I made it through high school. At
the close of a Sunday night service, I responded to the invitation and totally
surrendered my life to Jesus. I was sanctified in that moment and began the
journey that continues today. I sensed as a teenager the “call” of God on my life
and have tried to live constantly in His will.
Call to Ministry
As a college student in Mount Vernon, Ohio, I grew deeper in my faith and
experienced several wonderful moments of growth and inspiration. God’s call
continued to became clearer. Through the years, “the call” has taken various
forms, but remains strong today.
In college the call was to be a singer and retreat speaker. Following college,
the call was to a large church, multiple-staff setting. In 1990 the call was to full-
time revival ministry. More recently the call has been Interim Pastor, Lead Pastor
and now Executive Pastor. God has given us multiple opportunities to serve His
Church and to help bring healing to local congregations.
Even now in my role as Executive Pastor, the “call” remains strong.
Our ministry here in Winter Haven has been a blessing. We have experienced a
time of personal healing and love and have been in a position to help bring healing
to this congregation following the resignation of my predecessor. During this time
I’ve also enjoyed getting reacquainted with Jo; of learning again what it means to
love people unconditionally; of watching Abi blossom in response to God’s call;
and of being convinced that God’s will is the best possible choice in life.
Philosophy of Leadership
The responsibilities of this position have caused me to rethink both my
leadership style and my philosophy of ministry. The Apostle Paul reminds us that
God has gifted us for one purpose: the building up of the body of Christ. When you
read that statement, it is easy to linger on “gifts” or “giftedness”; however, our focus
must be on “building up the body…”
I have been able to do that by teaching and preaching a “lifestyle” rather
than just an “experience”. I realize that the Pastor (whatever the specific
job/ministry responsibilities may be) is called to be a Shepherd Leader – not a
Rancher. We are called to lead by example and to train others to lead. I want to be
surrounded by giants!
7. 7
Early in my ministry to students, my passion was that every kid in town
would get to heaven and be able to say that Tim Hancock was his or her pastor.
I soon began to realize that the more important passion would be that every kid in
town would get to heaven.
Personal Information
I am thankful today for the continual and continuing nature of my
sanctification: both the immediate crisis experience of initial sanctification that I
experienced as a teenager and the ongoing empowering of the Holy Spirit which
continues to sanctify me daily, enabling me to live a lifestyle of holiness.
JoAnne has a similar testimony and I have been blessed to watch her grow
in grace and in her love for Jesus. She is often my encourager and guide as we
travel together through life. She is convinced of God’s call on both of our lives,
however she knows that God’s specific call to ministry is on my life. She is enjoying
the journey, though!
Jo is extremely gifted as a “helper” and enjoys working behind the scenes.
She has a passion for seeing young people come to know Jesus and is a wonderful
hostess. She is currently serving as the Administrative Assistant to our District
Superintendent as he ministers to and facilitates the more than 150 local pastors
and ministers of the Florida District Church of the Nazarene.
We are also thrilled to know that Abi is walking in the Light and has realized
God’s call to ministry on her life. She is called to missions and her goal is to “end
human trafficking”. She has been to Peru and Africa and as she continues her third
year at Olivet Nazarene University, we are extremely proud of her.
We are truly blessed.
Tim and JoAnne Hancock
Tim, Jo and Abi aboard
the Disney Magic