BACKGROUND
Jeff Eckart lives in Grand Rapids, MI with his wife Arianna and together they have three lovely hazel-eyed daughters that look just like their mother.
Born and raised in Indianapolis, IN, Eckart earned a Bachelor's degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Master's degree from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He is an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church.
ABOUT HIS WORK
Founder & CEO of Never The Same
In 2009, he founded Never The Same, a national youth ministry organization whose vision is to see new generations transformed in Christ to further the Kingdom of God. Never The Same focuses on changing students' lives with biblical discipleship and spiritual disciplines using theology, community, and technology.
Learn more at neverthesame.org.
Lead Pastor at Daybreak Church
Jeff is the Lead Pastor elect at Daybreak Church in Grand Rapids, MI. He begins this role on July 1, 2021.
CURRENTLY
Trail of Death Experience and Documentary
Jeff took a several hundred mile prayer walk on the Trail of Death from Indiana to Kansas in June of 2020. Learn more in the writings section of this site. Hear the podcast interview here. Jeff is working with Red Barre Media and Sound and Color on a 4 part documentary to be released in October of 2021.
Jeff is on the Executive Board for the National Day of Prayer. He speaks locally, regionally, nationally and internationally to audiences of all types, sizes, and ages. He hosts a weekly podcast with a listenership audience of over 800,000 called the Thought Factory. Jeff is the author/designer of Soul Exercises, a Bible engagement platform used throughout the world that equips churches to engage their students in the Bible and spiritual disciplines.
OUTDOORS, MOTORCYCLES, ETC.
Jeff is an adventurist and enjoys trips on his 2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure dual sport motorcycle. Many of his hobbies include outdoor activities. He is an amateur land sailer, mountain biker, marathon runner, circumnavigated the treacherous Grand Island on a multi-day trip in a kayak, has hiked the elusive Isle Royale National Park, bungee jumped in New Zealand and been skydiving. Since beginning his own lawn mowing service at age 16 out of the trunk of his ’75 Buick LeSabre, Jeff has had an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. He has held a variety of very eclectic experiences and jobs throughout his life…veterinary technician, book factory worker, morgue assistant, office cleaner, professor, national youth ministry director, and strategic prankist while in college. (rumor has it that some of his "work" was referenced in the history book of his college alma mater, but that is a whole other story) These roles have shaped Jeff to become the person he is today.