Ocean Park Baptist Church

Christian Partyka
Pastor

Chris Partyka was called to be the pastor of Ocean Park in November of 2013. He was born and raised in Manchester, CT and has been living in Jacksonville since 2000. In 1996 he met his wife Denise (a Jacksonville native) while at the Moody Bible Institute and were married in May of 1999. The Lord has blessed them with four children; their niece Kayla, daughter Anna, and two sons; Andrew and Crosby. Chris brings to Ocean Park a passion for adoption, the Word of God, and a desire to exalt the infinite value of Jesus Christ. As an adopted son and an adopted father, Chris carries with him a unique perspective of a Christian’s spiritual adoption into the family of God. The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of adoption to teach believers how we have moved from enemies of God to the blessing of being called sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father (Eph 1:4; Gal 4:1-7; Rom 8:15). Chris loves to tell his own adoption story, Crosby’s story, and teach about the doctrine of adoption because it magnifies the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord (Glory to God Alone). You can read about Chris and Denise’s journey to adopt their son Crosby at their blog. The Word of God is also precious to Chris because it is sufficient for life and godliness and holds sole authority in the life of a believer (Psalm 19:7-9; 2 Tim 3:15-17). The biblical doctrine of Scripture Alone is precious to him because it reassures believers that we can trust God’s Word and submit ourselves to it above all else knowing that God Himself is faithful and trustworthy. Therefore, the congregation can rest assured that God’s Spirit will move through the faithful study and preaching of God’s word as we seek to submit ourselves to its authority on a daily basis. Above all else, Chris desires to impart a passion for the glory of Jesus Christ. It is through faith alone in Christ’s perfect righteousness, atoning death, and resurrection from the dead that sinners are able to be reconciled to a holy God (Faith Alone & Christ Alone). It is Chris’ great joy to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt 28:16-20) by declaring to this world the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and leading Ocean Park to make disciples of Jesus Christ at home and abroad. Education: Chris received a B.A. from The Moody Bible Institute in 2000 and an M.Div from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary - Jacksonville in 2011. Hobbies & Past time: Spending time with family, Home Improvement, Reading Classic Novels & Theological works, watching sports, and cheering on the kids in youth sports. Favorite Books: Bible, Diary of David Brainerd, Desiring God, Memories of an Ordinary Pastor, Words to Winners of Souls, To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson, Les Misérables, Tom Sawyer, Chronicles of Narnia, The Jesus Story Book. Favorite Bible Verse: Ephesians 2:1-10