Hi! I am Jeff and I am honored and grateful to be the pastor at Cassville UMC. I’m excited about seeing where God takes us together as His church. While church is NOT about me, getting acquainted is important, so allow me to introduce you to the Fugitts. After some time in Bolivar, Kansas City, and North Carolina, Jamie and I lived in Taney County for 27 years before moving to Cassville in July of 2019. We returned to the area for her to teach math at the College of the Ozarks. We got to know each other there at CofO as students back in the day. She grew up on a farm not far up the road in Stone County and graduated from Galena High School. I grew up mostly in Oklahoma, but ended up graduating in Crane.

Thankful to be here!

We raised two kids in the Branson schools. The oldest, Johnathan, is currently working on an MBA at New York University following his second deployment in the Persian Gulf with the Navy. Among other things, he is a writer. We are excited about his upcoming marriage to Laura, who is also a writer and marketer in NY.2 kids Our daughter Elizabeth lives in South Carolina with her husband Blaine. She is a Registered Dietitian in a hospital and he serves as a pastor on a large church staff. They welcomed their first child, Norah Grace, in July of 2020.

Like Jamie, I have spent much of my adult years teaching college students. I’ve taught Bible, religious studies, and philosophy. Most recently I was part-time at MSU for a little over ten years. My PhD is in religious studies from the University of Missouri Kansas City. Hers is from the University of Tennessee.
I was also a hospice chaplain for a time. I served in an associate pastor role at the Kimberling City UMC for seven years and I completed five years as Director of Adult Discipleship at Schweitzer UMC in Springfield before coming to Cassville.

Jamie and I enjoy hiking. I like cycling and triathlon when I have time to be in race shape and can keep all the body parts healthy. We have two dogs, Pepper and Yogi. I look forward to getting to know you. Please be in prayer as we this journey in ministry together. May God be honored in all we do and may the work to which we are called prosper and bring many people into transforming relationship with Jesus Christ.