Jeff is something of a polymath.

Born in Cyprus and raised in Germany and the United Kingdom, Jeff has an innate inquisitiveness and desire to understand and make sense of the world around him. These attributes find natural expression in the written word. Jeff’s writing has appeared in various places around the internet and in print, often dealing with the relationship between gospel, church, and culture..

A pastor and ministry leader, since 2017 Jeff has served with InterVarsity Press where he leads marketing for IVP Academic. He has taken a leading role in developing content marketing channels for IVP and leaning into digital marketing. 

His work at IVP combines his interest in academic theology, history, and biblical studies with his desire to resource both the church and the academy. 

Prior to that, he served as Associate Pastor at the 2,500-member First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem (PA) during its contentious transition from the Presbyterian Church (USA) to the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. That was fun.

After losing its property the congregation became known as Grace Church Bethlehem. Jeff oversaw the cradle-to-grave discipleship ministry of the congregation, preached regularly, taught adult Bible classes, and led worship (including weddings and funerals).

In addition, Jeff has more than ten years of experience as a campus minister serving graduate students and faculty at top-tier universities including the University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill, Duke University, and Wake Forest University.

He is married to Anna (an academic editor at IVP) and father to Nathan (11) and Eliza (9).  

The Gissing family lives in Wheaton.

Brief Resume

Earned degrees:

Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy & Religion
Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama (1998)

Master of Divinity
Beeson Divinity School, Birmingham, Alabama (2002)

Additional Studies:

Cumberland School of Law
Birmingham, Alabama (2002-2003)
One year of Juris Doctor program

Westminster Theological Seminary
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2015-2016)
One class in Master of Theology in Church History

Gies College of Business, University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois (2017-2019)
Master of Business Administration classes:
Marketing Management
Marketing in a Digital World