John Spurling

John Spurling

I am a seasoned senior leadership pastor, professor, university president, and consultant who desires to serve a dynamic church where I can contribute to the church’s ongoing impact and growth. I am a passionate leader who thrives on communicating for life change, equipping believers, connecting with non-believers, developing dynamic leaders, building strong team collaboration, and finding innovative solutions to complex challenges.

STRENGTHFINDER PROFILE

Learner Achiever Strategic Relator Belief

JOHN SPURLING RESUME

EXPERIENCE

2020 - Present

TRANSFORM U LEADERSHIP SERVICES

Porter Ranch, CA / Farmers Branch, TX

FOUNDER / CEO

I founded TransformU as a multi-faceted consulting, executive coaching, and resourcing company designed to walk alongside senior leaders in church settings. Utilizing 30 years of ministry experience, TransformU Leadership Services provides proven strategic planning and organizational development success to guide pastors and churches through critical growth challenges. With expertise in developing innovative equipping/discipleship ministries, teaching and preaching skills, visionary planning, problem-solving, and leadership development, TransformU provides important support for church leaders.

2018 - 2020

SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

Lakeland, FL

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR &

PROFESSOR OF LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION

Until June of 2020, I served as the Executive Director for Strategic Leadership & Innovation at Southeastern University. My position functioned within the Graduate, Unrestricted Education department. During my time at SEU one of the programs I developed was a new Regional Executive Master’s degree in Ministry Leadership. These executive level cohorts launched in several locations around the country and, with over 80 new graduate students, within two years it doubled the ministerial leadership enrollment .

2005 - 2017

GATEWAY CHURCH

Southlake, TX

ASSOCIATE SENIOR PASTOR

As an Associate Senior Pastor, I served on the Senior Leadership Team and developed all of the spiritual formation/discipleship, new believer, volunteer leadership, and membership resources for the church. And I was involved in all significant decisions related to church operations, expansion, staff leadership development, organizational transformation, biblical (Equip) training, and budgetary decisions. Gateway Church is a dynamic, multi-campus church led by Robert Morris, founding senior pastor. Since its inception on Easter Sunday, 2000, Gateway has grown to be one of the largest churches in North America with multiple campuses across the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. During my time on staff the church grew from 1,800 to 32,500 in weekend attendance, with more than 48,000 active members and a yearly budget of $142 million dollars.

2014 - 2017

THE KING'S UNIVERSITY
Southlake, TX

PRESIDENT

PROFESSOR OF PASTORAL LEADERSHIP

As chief executive officer, I worked with the Board of Trustees to confirm the strategic vision for the university, communicate the vision to all internal and external constituencies, and secured needed resources to accomplish all strategic goals. As the administrative leader of the university, I exercised general authority over, and supervised the operations of, all departments, members of the faculty, administrative officers, other employees and student body. I also provided extensive monthly and semi-annual reports to the Board of Trustees on all operations, academic development, student-centered engagement and pertinent matters consistent with the mission, vision and direction of the university.

2012 - 2014

THE KING'S UNIVERSITY
Southlake, TX

PROVOST / CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

PROFESSOR OF PASTORAL LEADERSHIP

As both Provost and COO, I was responsible for all day-to-day administrative decision-making for the university. I exercised authority over all staffing, financial, academic, and facility decisions on nine campuses nationally and one international campus (Hong Kong). I was also responsible for consistent reporting to the non-resident President and Board of Trustees. As chief academic officer I was responsible for all matters pertaining to proper academic accreditation reporting, student success, and the overall quality of the educational experience.

Spurling Resume with Complete Experience Summary

EDUCATION

1989 - 1994

FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Pasadena, California

Doctor of Ministry Degree

Pastoral & Organizational Leadership

1986 - 1987

AG THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Springfield, Missouri

Masters of Divinity Degree

Graduated with Academic Honors

1985

VANGUARD UNIVERSITY

Costa Mesa, California

Masters Program

Spiritual Leadership

1981 - 1984

EVANGEL UNIVERSITY
Springfield, Missouri

B.A. in Biblical Studies

Graduated Magna Cum Laude

TEACHING AND PREACHING

VIDEOS