Welcome to our series that spotlights NC Conference pastors serving in extension ministries. Read about other extension ministers as these stories are published weekly.

Rev. Chris Jenkins

Rev. Chris Jenkins is the Founder/Executive Director of Hope Restorations. He is a second-career pastor who enjoys living and sharing the Gospel in non-religious settings. His first ministry is his wife and family. His second is Hope Restorations, and his third ministry (and the bulk of his social life) is the men of F3 (Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith – free outdoor workouts for men with a mission of reinvigorating male community leadership). He is also a USCG licensed Captain with hobbies such as fishing, SCUBA, boat renovations, and upholstery.

Hope Restorations

Hope Restorations began and is headquartered in Kinston, NC. The mission is to help adults recover from addiction and/or incarceration by providing honest, dignified employment and training, combined with mentoring, coaching, encouragement, and accountability, while also connecting participants with as many useful resources as possible through a vast and growing network of partnering agencies.

Rev. Jenkins is 58 years old and actively and intentionally preparing his team to succeed him so this ministry remains impactful and sustainable long after he retires or dies.

A Leader Forming Ministry

While Hope Restorations’ mission most closely aligns with Disciple Making, the organization has grown large and complex enough that the main focus of Rev. Jenkins’ direct ministry is Leader Forming. Hope Restorations doesn’t require participants to participate in any religious activity or make any doctrinal statements, but they do not hide the fact that they do what they do out of their personal desire to follow Christ and help build his kingdom. When they have experienced our love and true concern for them, they often ask for more information about their faith, which often leads to baptism and new life.