Get to Know Our Co-Pastors

    • Dr. Jim Baucom

    Jim Baucom (Jim, Dr. Jim, Dr. J) has served as Columbia’s Senior Pastor for over twenty years, and has been a pastor for nearly forty. He has been married to his college sweetheart, Debbie, since 1987, and together they have two grown and married daughters, Marlee (Andrew) and Kelly (Jack). Jim and Debbie live in McLean, love to spend time with their family, and play Pickleball whenever they get a chance (in addition to walking a lot).


    When he’s not pastoring, Jim likes to read, write, hike, play racquetball, travel, fish, hunt, and watch or attend sporting events. In addition to pastoring, he frequently consults and speaks in business and non-profit settings, and he serves on numerous boards. He has a particular passion for leadership development, and he has invested a lot of time and energy starting and championing movements that invest in emerging young leaders.


    Jim loves pastoring–especially preaching, discipleship, and staff development–and he can’t fathom why anyone would pay him to do it. He is a graduate of the University of Richmond (B.A.), Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, NC (MDiv.), and Princeton Seminary (DMin.).


    You can listen to some of Dr. Jim's sermon's below:

    Columbia's Sermon Podcast

    Rev. Kris Clifford

    Rev. Kris Clifford was called as Columbia’s Co-Pastor in November 2022. He is a native Virginian from Palmyra, VA. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia and his Master of Arts in Christian Leadership from Leland Seminary. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Ministry from Portland Seminary at George Fox University. 


    Pastor Kris has been in vocational ministry for over 20 years. He came to Columbia as a Resident in 2009, in 2010 he was called to be Columbia’s Student Pastor, and in 2015 he became the Associate Pastor of Worship. 


    Kris married the love of his life, Layci, in 2006. They have three children. Charlotte “Charli”, age 9, Judah, age 7, and Josiah, age 3. When not busy with kids, Kris likes to go to concerts, Nats games, or find new places around the DMV to explore. 


    His favorite book of all time is The Ragamuffin Gospel because it changed how he understood God’s grace. His favorite food is pizza (it has something from all the food groups!). He also LOVES coffee! Just coffee though! No creamer, no sugar, no syrup, no whip cream, no froth…just coffee! 


    You can listen to some of Pastor Kris’s sermons below:

    Therefore #7: Strong (6.19 2022) Power & Love (4.24.2022) Holding On #2: Pray-lieving (4.11.2021)
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