Welcoming a New Christar U.S. Director
On July 1, 2024 Christar U.S. welcomed Jim Capaldo as its next director. This transition comes as an answer to many prayers, and we praise God for His provision.
The Christar U.S. Board sought someone who would humbly build upon Steve Coffey’s solid, steady spiritual leadership while also providing fresh eyes and ideas to take us to a new level of effectiveness. We wanted a new director who not only aligned with our doctrinal statement, missional methodology and ends of church planting, but who also embodied them with extensive and fruitful experience.
God provided someone who meets those requirements and adds a fluency in business and bi-vocational ministry, an area where we see great potential for effective gospel mobilization. Jim was unanimously endorsed by the Christar U.S. Board, and we are confident that he is the leader to continue down new pathways ahead while stewarding Christar’s rich history.
Respectfully,
Jeff Adams,
Christar U.S. Board Chair
Rejoicing in Steve & Beth's Faithful Service
As Steve Coffey closes his ministry as Christar U.S. director, we are immensely grateful for the example of faithfulness and godliness he and his wife, Beth, have set through their 35 years of service with Christar. During his time in the CMCUS, Steve’s steadfast leadership and shepherd’s heart have steered our mobilization center toward a greater love for God that fuels a relentless desire to see the least-reached receive access to the greatest treasure in the world: to know and worship the Savior. Beth’s heart for hospitality and care has tirelessly created space for countless people to pause, connect and consider the goodness of God through every season.
We praise the Lord for His abundant work through the Coffeys in the U.S. Mobilization Center and are excited to see how He will continue to powerfully work as they serve Him in their next chapter of ministry beyond the CMCUS.
Jim was drawn to Christar’s pioneering spirit and commitment to building the Body of Christ among the not-yet Church. Both Jim and his wife, Kari, were raised in Iowa, where they met in high school youth group. After completing a Bachelor of Science in intercultural studies and theology at Baptist Bible College, he and Kari spent 11 years doing pioneering work in Siberia among predominantly Buddhist people groups. When their visas were not renewed, they left behind leaders as well as a church-planting movement that continues. After leaving Russia, they continued ministry to Russian-speakers and others throughout arctic regions, serving from Alaska. Along the way, Jim has served as a teaching and outreach pastor for large churches in Alaska and South Dakota. For the past decade, he has served as the regional president of Converge Heartland, overseeing churches from North Dakota to Oklahoma, strengthening many existing and new churches, and mobilizing them to greater engagement with pioneer missions. Jim holds graduate diplomas in Russian language and exegetical theology and a master’s degree in health service administration.