N. Jack Wolfe

Senior Pastor

As the Senior Pastor of NFUMC since 2001, Pastor Wolfe is called to lead the congregation in our spiritual and temporal ministry.  Called by God into the ministry four decades ago, Pastor Jack has served congregations in Corydon, Mt. Vernon, Indianapolis, Bloomington, and Greensburg.  His experience of over 35 years of ministry provides a rich background to his preaching and offers significant experience and wisdom in church leadership.  His wife, Dorothy, is a retired legal secretary.  His oldest son, Dr. Christopher Wolfe, is on the faculty at Indiana University in Kokomo.  Chris, his wife, Nicolle, and Pastor Jack’s two grandchildren live in Noblesville and attend First Church. His second son, Adam, lives in Indianapolis, remains single and earns his living as an extraordinary waiter at The Ram in Fishers.

Hometown: 

New Albany, Indiana

Education:

BA in Biology, Secondary Education from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky.  Two years toward a M.Div. degree at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky and complete M.Div. at the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in 1978.  He received his License to Preach in the United Methodist Church in 1975.  He was ordained a Deacon in the United Methodist Church in 1976, and ordained as an Elder in 1978.  Later he continued his education by working toward a M.B.A. at Butler University in Indianapolis.

Previous Pastoral Appointments:

• Senior Pastor of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, 1995 to 2001.
• Senior Pastor of Greensburg UMC in Greensburg, IN, from 1993 to 1995.
• Pastor of St. Paul UMC in Bloomington, IN, from 1985 to 1993.
• Pastor of Washington Street UMC in Indianapolis from 1981 to 1985.
• Associate Pastor of Mt. Vernon UMC in Mt. Vernon, IN, 1978 to 1981.
• Student Pastor of Heidelberg Charge (Heidelberg UMC and Perseverance Chapel UMC) in Corydon, Indiana from March 16, 1975 to June 15, 1978.

In addition to his pastoral appointments Pastor Jack has served on the following District and Conference committees and groups:

• Evansville District Youth Coordinator
• Member of the Annual Conference Committee on Youth Ministry
• Director of multiple junior high summer church camps
• Secretary of South Conference Board of Evangelism
• Chair of Bloomington District Committee on Ministry
• Chair of the South Conference Board of Evangelism
• Member of the Conference Council on Ministries
• Alternate member of the Jurisdiction Conference
• Member of Committee for Planning and Management of Annual Conference
• Secretary of the Board of Pensions
• Member of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry

Favorites:      

Book:  Of course, the Bible.  For non-fiction – The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.    For fiction his favorite authors include Tom Clancy, James Patterson, Patricia Cornwell, and J. K. Rowling.  He has pretty much read everything by these favorite authors.

Movie: Godfather, Fiddler on the Roof, Avatar

TV Show: CSI (Anywhere), Pawn Stars

Hymn/Song:  “A Mighty Fortress” & “And Can It Be”

Quote:  “You can’t beat a man at his own trade.” – Jack’s grandfather.

Bible Verse:  Psalms 40:1-3 (NIV) – “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and (hear) and put their trust in the LORD.”

Sports Team: Colts

Hobbies/Interests:

Reading, Genealogy, Travel (Jack has been to 49 of the 50 states, Israel, England, Scotland, Turkey, and Greece.)

Why do you do what you do?  

“I learned along the way that when a person is working within the spiritual gifts given him or her, that they find their tasks enjoyable and come to believe that anyone could do what they are doing. I think the ministry allows me the opportunity to use my spiritual gifts such that I am wonderfully fulfilled, get to help to make difference for the betterment of others, and get to wonder why I am so blessed to get paid to do what I love to do.  Being in ministry beats working for a living.”