VCI Team

E. Stanley Ott – Founder and President

As President of the Vital Churches Institute (VCI), Stan's passion is the transformation of the mainline church. Stan teaches the principles of congregational vitality, transformation, missional endeavor, and leadership. His impact reaches thousands of folks throughout US and abroad through the Acts 16:5 Initiative, his published writing and his teaching engagements.

As pastor, Stan has over thirty years of first-hand knowledge of the hard work and challenges that lead to the blessings of being a transformational congregation that moves to new vitality.

Stan's Publications include:

• "Twelve Dynamic Shifts for Transforming Your Church" (Eerdmans)
• "Transform Your Church with Ministry Teams"(Eerdmans)
• "The Vibrant Church: A People Building Plan for Congregational Health" (Regal)
• "The Joy of Discipling: Friend with Friend and Heart with Heart" (Zondervan)
• Vision for a Vital Church (Vital Churches Institute)
• Small Group Life (Vital Churches Institute)

Contact: Stan@vitalchurches.com

 

David Blevik - Coach and Consultant

Dave Bleivik graduated Princeton Seminary in 1974, where his doctoral dissertation was on Church Leadership and Transformation. He has served in churches in Western PA,  Ohio, Virginia and Alaska.  While in Alaska he helped organize Bridge Builders, an organization involved in promoting mutual respect and city-wide harmony with over 40 different racial/ethnic groups, and he also helped create a coalition of churches committed to raising the quality of life of the community and lifting up Christ by caring for the homeless and abused.  Dave served on the GAC for over five years and helped develop a strategy for church growth and development.  He also served as the General Presbyter of Washington Presbytery in SW Pennsylvania and is currently pastoring a church in Dearborn, Mi, which is experiencing revitalization and transformation.
 

 

 

 

Chris Bullock - Coach and Consultant

Chris has a heart for transforming Presbyterian churches in the 21st Century.  He is currently serving as Co-Pastor with his wife, Karen, at Central Presbyterian Church, in Midtown, Mobile, Alabama.  He has worked with Acts 16:5 in the Presbytery of Mississippi and is helping lead Acts 16% in the Florida Presbytery starting this spring.  

Contact: rev.chrisbullock@yahoo.com

 

 

 

Kathi Busch - Coach and Consultant

Kathi's passion is developing leaders who model being the Church, the Body of Christ, the physical presence of Jesus in the world today.  As the pastor of a church on the way to being a transformational ministry, Kathi has practiced the principles of the Acts 16:5 Initiative  for more than 10 years.  During her term as Moderator of New Castle Presbytery, she was instrumental in encouraging the presbytery to adopt the Acts 16:5 Initiative as their process for church transformation.  Ministry is Kathi's fourth career, after piano teacher and church musician, mom and insurance sales.  She thinks this one is going to stick!  Kathi holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Divinity degrees.  

Contact: revkathi1@comcast.net

 

 

Hoyt Byrum - Coach and Consultant

Hoyt has served congregations since 1975 with a double focus of: helping individual Christians become mature in their faith and helping congregations become transformational in their ministry and mission. Hoyt has particular expertise in:

• Developing a Small Group ministry.
• Deploying effective Stewardship efforts.
• Leading groups in the concepts of the Acts 16:5 Initiative.

Hoyt holds a Bachelors of Science degree, a Master of Arts in Counseling, a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry.
Contact: Hoyt@vitalchurches.com

Anne Clifton Hebert – Coach and Consultant

Anne has over twenty years of experience serving churches in Oklahoma, Michigan, New York and Texas. Developing pastors and teams as Christ-centered leaders is where her heart is. She believes the vitality of the local church is God's hope for the world. Anne has great personal experience leading her congregation through the Acts 16:5 Initiative and enjoys leading other churches through the process. She has been a key player in helping those at the Presbytery level envision a new future with the essentials of transformation. Anne holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance and a Master of Divinity degree.
Contact: Anne@vitalchurches.com

 

 

Scott Castleman - Coach and Constultant

Scott loves the church. His committment is to see the church reflect the vitality, energy, and growth that God's kingdom brings with it. Scott has seen the principles of the Acts 16:5 Initiative impact his ministry and bring growth in both depth and breadth where he has served on the Katrina recovering Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Scott is a third generation Presbyterian pastor with a bachelors degree in biblical studies from Belhaven University. Scott received his Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2006, which he attended after a time of study at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL.

contact:  scott.fpos@gmail.com

 

 

 

Steve Ebling – Coach and Consultant

Steve's passion is to help people and congregations grow into the disciples Christ is calling them to be. Currently, he is leading an Acts 16:5 Initiative team in the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley. He has served churches in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana for over twenty years as an Associate and Senior Pastor. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree, a Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Divinity degree.
Contact: Steve@vitalchurches.com

 

 

 

Tom Houston – Coach and Consultant

Tom is passionate about helping people to grow in a life-long journey with Jesus. Throughout his ministry, he has worked closely with seekers and disciples of all ages to help them to know and relate with their Living Lord and to be the unique creation that God has called them to be.

For over 13 years Tom has served as Pastor or Associate Pastor to churches in Pennsylvania and Ohio. His experience also includes working with Youth for Christ and serving as Executive Director of the World Bible Quiz Association.

Tom is excited to help churches align their shared life and mission around the concepts of the Acts 16:5 Initiative as they embrace the process of congregational transformation.  Tom holds a Bachelors of Arts in Youth Ministry and a Master of Divinity degree.
Contact: Tom@vitalchurches.com 

Linda Jaberg – Coach and Consultant

Linda has extensive experience in serving the local church and building bridges in the surrounding community. She has served churches in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida. Having held a variety of leadership positions, Linda has had a profound influence, especially on children. Linda knows participating in the Acts 16:5 Initiative is key to the successful transition that her church is going through. Having experienced and resolved the conflict within the church leadership; the congregation is now positioned for spiritual renewal and new growth. With more than thirty years in ministry, Linda is well-prepared to guide church leaders desiring transformation. Linda holds a Bachelor of Arts in History with a Minor in Secondary Education and a Master of Divinity degree with an emphasis in Pastoral Care.
Contact: linda@vitalchurches.com

 

Dale Patterson - Coach and Consultant

Dale has several years working in the world of sales and marketing with Fortune 500 companies. He has over twenty-eight years of experience in large and small congregations including New Church Development. Dale's heart is bringing the message of refreshment and the invigorating hope of Christ-centered living to the many in our communities who are disenfranchised from the church. He is an experienced pastor in leading a congregation with the concepts of the Acts 16:5 Initiative. Dale writes the blog www.faithfulcurmudgeon.com and a daily e-devotional, Enjoy Life, Enjoy God. Dale is also the author of In the Snare of the Fowler. Contact: Dale@vitalchurches.com

 

 

Pam Volk – Administrator

Pam Volk has a wide range of experience in the Human Resources field through Kelly Services, Harvard University and the University of Pittsburgh. After time at home with young children, she joined Stan in the adventure that is church transformation. Pam has experienced the powerful effect that church transformation has on individuals and congregations not only through her work with VCI but also as a member of the Pleasant Hills Presbyterian Church where Stan was Senior Pastor. She has lived the message that Stan delivers. Pam holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.
Contact: Pam@vitalchurches.com