Administrative Staff
Jeff McDowell
Vice President of Ministries and Programs
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Jeff McDowell began his tenure at St. Matthew's House in November, 2009 as Program Staff Coordinator. In May 2010 he was named Manager of the newly created Justin's Place Recovery Center program, which is based at the Old Firehouse Feeding Ministry building located nearby the St. Matthew's House main facility. With the help of two peer mentors, Jeff oversees the recovery efforts of 16 clients who reside at the Old Firehouse. The goal of this program is to guide clients through biblically-based steps needed to overcome addiction issues and return to an independent lifestyle. In July, 2011 Jeff was named Vice President of Ministries and Programs, overseeing the entire recovery program at St. Matthew's House.
Jeff has dedicated his life to serving the Lord, initially through various Christian churches and ministries. While attending Florida Christian College in Kissimmee, FL, he was a part-time youth minister at First Christian Church in Mt. Dora, FL from 1993-1994.
Upon graduating Florida Christian College in 1995, Jeff was ordained in the ministry and continued his campus ministry career begun a year earlier working with Team Expansion. During this time he was a missionary for three years in Kharkov, Ukraine, serving as team leader and helping to establish and run a college campus ministry. In 1997 he returned to Florida as Director for Christian Campus Fellowship at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL. He held this position until 1999, when some poor choices presented him with life's biggest challenges.
Jeff recalls, "I ended up divorced, homeless, and addicted to drugs for many years. Through the loving kindess of people who the Lord placed in my life, I was able to experience God's restoration. After some years of healing and sobriety I was once again able to reenter into ministry in the fall of 2008. I can relate to those who have scarred lives through addictions, and those who through their poor choices have ended up homeless. I am blessed to be able to offer these men the same hope that I now experience every day." Jeff regularly shares his testimony with various churches and ministries in Florida, and helps to lead several Christian 12 Step meetings throughout Naples.
A central Florida native, Jeff is currently working on his MA in Christian Thought at Reformed Theological Seminary in Oviedo, FL. In his spare time, he enjoys mountain biking and racquetball.