Jeff Cranford retired on March 1, 2019, having served twenty years on the staff of the BGAV. During his tenure with the BGAV he served in many capacities, particularly as Compensation Planning Specialist.

In that capacity, he assisted church leaders and staff with all aspects of compensation planning including church and clergy taxes, retirement planning, and insurance of all kinds. Since 2014 he has held the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM or CRPC® designation with the College for Financial Planning.

On March 1, 2019, Jeff began service as BGAV Minister-in-Residence for Church Finances. In this capacity he continues to assist churches with all aspects of church finances. He also offers annual seminars in church and clergy taxes, church financial administration, and financial support planning for church staff.

During his years of ministry service, Jeff served as a senior pastor for 25 years, a director of missions for 4 years, and on the BGAV staff for 20 years. He has assisted BGAV churches as interim pastor, transition consultant, and has taught as an adjunct professor for Averett University and John Leland Seminary. Jeff earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Religion at Baylor University and his B.A. in Biblical Languages and Literature at Gardner-Webb University.