The EFCA Central Team

As pastors and church leaders we are all in this together. As an EFCA Central staff, we feel that there is no question that is unimportant to us. We are here to serve you.
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Jamie Farran

Executive Assistant to the Superintendent

Jamie joined the EFCA Central Team in 2022. She has a B.A. from Millikin University and an Associates in Biblical Studies from Ethnos 360 Bible Institute. Jamie is your first point of contact for all things related to the office of the Superintendent as well as general ministry questions including finance and giving. Jamie has a deep love for Christ and the local church and will be able to help find answers to your questions or connect you with the right person to assist you.

Mike became the EFCA Central Superintendent in 2020. He earned a Doctor of Ministry from Talbot Seminary, and a Master of Divinity and MA in Counseling Psychology from TEDS. He has served as the lead pastor in EFCA churches for more than 25 years. EFCA churches he served include Indianola Community Church, Indianola, IA; Kearney eFree, Kearney, NE; and Trinity EFC, Lakeville, MN. Mike has a heart for life-giving churches and the eternal impact they can have for Christ. He spends most of his ministry time working with pastors and lay leaders in pastoral transition, leadership challenges, leadership training, and strategic planning.

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Todd Brooks

Regional Superintendent (Church Multiplication), MO/AR

Todd joined the EFCA Central team in 2019. He holds a Master of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary. Todd ministered with the staff of CRU prior to beginning an internship at Cornerstone EFC. Todd became the leader of a daughter congregation, which was launched in the City of St. Louis in 2006. He now leads our Church Multiplication efforts in Missouri and Arkansas and would be your first point of contact with questions of church planting in the southern portion of EFCA Central.

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Mark Farran

Regional Superintendent (Church Multiplication), SD/IA

Mark joined the EFCA Central team in 2022. He serves as the Regional Superintendent in South Dakota and Iowa and leads our Church multiplication efforts in this area. Mark previously served as the Senior Pastor of a church revitalization in Bland, MO. He also served as an EFCA ReachGlobal missionary in Bucharest, Romania working with a Romanian church plant. He has a MA in Practical Theology from Regent University. Mark is your point of contact for questions about church planting in the northern region of the EFCA Central.

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Larry Austin

Regional Health Coach (Central Iowa)

Larry is presently working part-time as a Regional Health Coach for our Central Iowa pastors and churches. Until January 2023, he served the district in his role of church health dating back to the fall of 2008. Prior to that he had served for 21 years in various roles including Pastor of Adult Ministries at Christ Community Church in Ames, Iowa. He is a greatly skilled leader and your point of contact for questions regarding coaching for our pastors in Central Iowa.

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Carl Johnson

Development Director
Carl Johnson joined the EFCA Central team in 2024 as the Development Director focusing on Church Planting. He earned two Bachelor of Science Degrees in Metallurgical Engineering and Engineering Administration from Michigan Tech University and worked with Sundstrand Corporation for 35 years. After that he started his own consulting business specializing in Cycle Time Reduction, Leadership Development, and Market Development. For the past 24 years, he worked for TEDS as a Major Gift Officer/Special Assistant to the President. He is now transferring all that expertise to aid EFCA Central to raise funds for Church Planting. To learn more about giving to the Church Planting Initiative in EFCA Central, contact Carl.
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Stephanie Lord

Communications

Stephanie joined the EFCA Central team in 2021 and leads in the areas of Communications and Social Media. She is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and has a heart to communicate the gospel. Stephanie has ministered previously on staff at Valley Church in WDM, IA, as well as Christ Community Church in Omaha, NE. Stephanie is your point of contact for Social Media and communications questions.

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Mary Lou McDowell

Director of Women in Ministry Leadership

Mary Lou joined the EFCA Central Team in 2023. She spent her career at Principal Financial Group working with retirement plans in client relationship management. She previously served as the EFCA Resound District Mobilizer from 2009 – 2013 (in EFCA Central and the National Team) and was the Women’s Ministry Director at Christ Community Church in Ames, IA, from 2018 to Spring 2020. Mary Lou is your first point of contact for any questions regarding women in ministry leadership. Check out the Women in Ministry website for more info!

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Brent Thomas

Director of Reach Students Central District (RSCD)

Brent is the part-time Director of Reach Students Central District (RSCD) with over 50 years of experience in Student Ministries. He earned a Master of Divinity from TEDS and a degree in Pastoral Training (Greek Emphasis) from Moody Bible Institute. Brent has served in student ministries at Crystal Lake EFC in Illinois, and Christ Community Church in Ames, IA, where he also served in Adult Ministries and Missions for 11 years. He has a deep passion for youth to be reached with the Gospel and discipled into Christ’s likeness. Brent trains and networks youth pastors and volunteers, oversees RSCD’s youth conferences and retreats, and helps churches as a youth ministry consultant. He is your point of contact for all things related to EFCA Central student ministries.

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