Criner challenges and encourages as Believers Church Lecture Series at FPU

D.J. Criner, senior pastor at Saint Rest Baptist Church in Fresno and FPU alumnus, delivered a powerful and prophetic message that was challenging and encouraging as 2024 Believers Church Lecture Series speaker.

In a series of events October 1-3, Criner and the Saint Rest Praise Team led worship and explored a scriptural message on reconciliation Monday to a packed room of Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary students and community guests. His Tuesday College Hour chapel message resonated with traditional undergraduate students, faculty, staff and other attendees. Thursday's Pastors' Breakfast saw more than 60 people in attendance, representing diverse churches and organizations in the area. That afternoon, Criner (left to right in photo) engaged in dialogue with Brian Ross, D.Min., associate professor and disciplinary lead in pastoral ministries before the Council for Senior Professionals and students in College Hour Connect.

"We are indebted to Pastor Criner for his faithfulness in reminding us to put our trust in God and be grounded in the word, being a new kind of community that is not shaped by the world but reflects Jesus and his message of love and reconciliation," said Cynthia McGrady, Ph.D., seminary department chair.

Criner's presentations were under the overall title: "I Can Breathe: Moving from Problematic Culture to Christ-Centered Ministry." The lecture series was sponsored by the FPBS and its Center for Anabaptist Studies. College Hour was hosted by the FPU Office of Spiritual Formation. All events took place on the main campus at 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno.

D.J. Criner

D.J. Criner was born in Stockton and accepted the call to preach at the age of 10, becoming senior pastor at Saint Rest in 2013. Criner is involved in many church, community and state organizations and initiatives. After studying sociology at Fresno State, Criner earned a B.A. in Business-Organizational Leadership from Fresno Pacific University and is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity at FPBS. He and wife Jessica Lauren "Lady J," a licensed clinician and marriage and family therapist who leads the Saint Rest Mental Wellness Ministry, have three daughters.

The Believers Church Lecture Series explores the relevance of the Believers Church tradition in contemporary Christian thought and life. It is supported by an endowment established by the late Dr. Herbert and Jessica Penner of Bakersfield, CA. (FPU photo by Kyle Young)

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