Pastor Duke has been the pastor at Jefferson Baptist Church in Jefferson, Oregon, for 44 years. He grew up in Oregon and Washington and graduated from Western Baptist College (now Corban University) in Salem, Oregon, and has since earned a Doctorate Degree.



When he first began pastoring, the congregation consisted of 25 members and was meeting in the local City Hall. In the following years the church was able to purchase its own land, and all of the present buildings, including an 800-seat sanctuary were constructed on a cash basis and with volunteer labor from the congregation. Construction is continuing on a new Christian Education Building as well as additional parking areas.



Jefferson is a small, rural community of about 2200 people. The church has grown to an average attendance of 700-800 people in three services. In the last ten years Jefferson Baptist has had the joy of starting six daughter churches, with a seventh church scheduled to begin September 8, 2013.