Farley Ministry Biography
Dr. Brian and Heather Farley have served in ministry, leadership development, evangelism, church planting, and church revitalization for 36 years across three IPHC conferences and previously in the Church of God. During their years in student ministry, at Forest Hill Church of God, Mobile, Alabama, they led two major youth events attended by more than 3,000 students, resulting in 225 salvations.
While pastoring in a rural North Florida community, Dowling Park Church of God reached 300 in attendance for the first time in its history on Easter Sunday 1999.
Later at Cathedral Christian Center in Phoenix, Arizona, one of the Church of God’s largest congregations at that time with more than 5,200 members, Brian supervised a team of 15 youth pastors and workers. This student ministry doubled in size. Brian served the AZ Church of God state youth committee and led worship at state campmeeting and Southwest Winterfest.
Church Planting & Conference Leadership
In 2000, the Farleys moved to Pensacola, Florida to plant a church. In 2001, the newly planted congregation merged with a struggling church in nearby Cantonment, Florida, forming Harvest Christian Center IPHC.
Over the next fourteen years, Harvest Christian Center experienced substantial growth.
During this period, Brian served extensively in conference leadership in Alpha Ministries Conference IPHC, including service as:
Heather participated in the worship team for the 2009 IPHC General Conference.
Other Pastoral Leadership & Missionary Service
In 2014, the Farleys accepted the pastorate of Faith Chapel IPHC, Huntsville, Alabama. The church experienced growth and major facility improvements, with 44 water baptisms and 55 new members. They established another School of Ministry that developed leaders. In 2017, the Farleys were appointed as EVUSA missionaries to New York City, where they served seven years ministering to Muslims, mentoring pastors, providing homeless ministry, and house church planting in both Manhattan and Staten Island. During these seven years, they faithfully ministered through the unprecedented challenges of the nation's COVID-19 epicenter. In 2021, they served as route leaders for Prayer at the Heart of America, helping lead revival prayer gatherings with hundreds of participants across seven states at five state capitols with state lawmakers and Superintendent Doug Clay and the executive ministry team of the Assemblies of God Headquarters. Recently, they have served as mentors for Thriving Through the Seasons of Ministry.
Recent Church Revitalization
In 2024, the Farleys re-planted Tidewater Church IPHC in Portsmouth, Virginia, with a congregation of twelve members facing an uncertain future. A two-year revitalization effort added 58 members, 17 baptisms, developed eight leaders, 29 volunteers, completed several major facility renovations debt-free, and has grown to host services of more than 100 attendees several times.
Education, Credentials & Military Service
Brian holds a Doctor of Ministry in Church Planting and Revitalization with Distinction, a M.Div., a MA in Theology, and a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in Pastoral Ministry and Christian Leadership from Trinity Theological Seminary, Evansville, IN. He also studied at Lee University and the Community College of the Air Force. Brian has been an IPHC ordained minister since 2002 and previously held ordination in the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee). Additional training includes Peacemakers Church Conflict Mediation and Resolution, Biblical counseling certification from American Association of Christian Counselors, and advanced studies in Christian philosophy and apologetics. Brian is an honorably discharged United States Air Force veteran, graduating as an honor graduate in basic training and first in his technical school class. He served as a Protestant chapel guide while training and worked in information technology.
Book Publications & Ministry Impact
Brian is the author of Church Planting in the 2020s and God's Picture of You, and Heather Farley is the author of Why Weight? Change Now! Brian has witnessed 4,200 salvations, 465 water baptisms, dozens of Spirit baptisms, and the development of many pastors. Their ministry has reached across racial/cultural boundaries. Brian has preached in 300+ churches, conferences, camps, schools, Bible colleges, revivals, and leadership events across the United States.
Family
The Farleys are parents of two sons who are both serving successfully in leadership. Aaron Joel and Hannah Farley (both Emmanuel University alumni) serve as Executive Student Pastor of Sagebrush Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico leading 1,500 students weekly and managing a team of 25 youth pastors across eight campuses. Aaron and Hannah recently made the Farleys grandparents of Psalm Jane Farley. Andrew Farley leads a team of software developers who produce applications for corporate clients.
Gift of Healing
The Farleys remain grateful for God's miraculous healing of their son Andrew as a baby and continue to proclaim the faithfulness of Christ as He has touched many lives through their ministry. More than 300 individuals have reported testimonies of healing, including several who had been diagnosed with "terminal" illnesses. To Jesus Christ belongs all glory.