Jerry Stauffer and his sister Kaye were raised by God fearing parents. As a young man, Jerry studied to become a journeyman machinist at Mare Island Ship Yard, where he worked for five years building nuclear submarines. He met and married his wife Betty, a schoolteacher, in 1974. He attended Simpson Bible College from 1975-79, and later purchased half interest in a machine shop where he worked for 18 years. In 1994, he began serving as a pastor of a Mennonite Brethren church in the Bay Area. At the same time, he managed an organization called Christian Response Network that linked persons in need to volunteers and benevolence from 10 Bay Area churches.
In 2003, Jerry and Betty moved to Bangor to be near Jerry’s parents. They now provide full time care for his 89 year old father. They live on an 8 acre farm, which is plenty big enough to handle Jerry’s hobbies. He enjoys raising chickens and rabbits. Tending his orchard and vineyard, along with his gardens, both traditional and hydroponic, keep his green thumb happy.
The biggest joy of Jerry’s life is leading others in the study of God’s word. At the present time, he is leading a Sunday morning adult Grow for Life class, a Tuesday night adult study, and a Thursday night men’s group.