STAFF & LEADERSHIP

Our team exists to serve people, strengthen the church, and exalt Jesus. Centered on worship and God’s love, we keep moving forward together in the simple call to love God and love others.

JESS MOTES

PASTOR

Pastor Jess was born and raised in Palatka, Florida, where he also met and married his wife, Emily. He grew up at College Park Baptist Church, the very place where he came to faith in Jesus, was baptized, and began serving in various leadership roles. After pastoring a church in Jacksonville for four years, Pastor Jess felt God’s clear call to return home and, in 2024, became the Lead Pastor of College Park Baptist Church.

Jess and Emily are the proud parents of two wonderful children and are also licensed foster parents, opening their hearts and home to children in need.

Pastor Jess has a deep love for the people of Putnam County and is passionate about serving the community with compassion and purpose. His desire is to see lives transformed through the hope of the gospel as he leads the church in its mission to grow in our love for God, show His love, and share the message of Jesus.

CHRIS STEWART

Pastoral Assistant

My name is Chris Stewart I am the Pastoral assistant, youth and music leader here at College Park Baptist Church. I am a United States Marine, construction worker, and part-time business owner. I am formerly unredeemed but am currently ransomed by the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. I hold to a reformed theological worldview, and I love this quote by Charles Spurgeon, "If God painted yellow stripes along the back of his elect, I would go about lifting shirts, but since he has not, I must preach the gospel."

I was called to the son by the father while I was working alone in a front-end loader. I thought to myself, "I've never heard the gospel". I googled where the gospel started, downloaded an audio Bible, and it was 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. It was October 2018, and since that day, I've dedicated my life to encouraging the saints with zeal and hope through the wonderful gospel of Christ.

Please join us and allow us to pour into and build up the person God has called you to be.