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Jeffrey Lee Mullen (born February 12, 1963, in West Hartford Connecticut) is the senior pastor of Point of Grace Church in Des Moines Iowa. Early life and education Mullen was born in West Hartford Connecticut, the youngest of three boys. His family moved to California during his childhood when his father relocated as Sr. Pastor of First Baptist Church of Costa Mesa California. After graduating from Newport Harbor high school, he studied business and economics at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California, later transferring to Azusa Pacific University to pursue his degree in Music Education with an emphasis in vocal performance. Biography Jeff’s father, Wayne Mullen, a former Independent Baptist pastor planted the seed of ministry in the life of Jeff. In the late 80’s Mullen graduated from Azusa Pacific University and became Minister of Music at South Valley Christian Church, San Jose California. Three and a half years later moved to Glendale Arizona to join the ministry team of Community Church of Joy where he led 6 weekly services of all styles including jazz, rock-n-roll, spirited traditional and a “pop” service. He led over 900 people in the performing arts ministry and in 1994 moved to Des Moines Iowa to start a new church. In 1995 Mullen started Point of Grace Church in the West Des Moines Holiday Inn, weeks later moving to Indian Hills Jr. High School, two and a half years later moved to Valley Southwoods Freshman High School and in 2004 moved into their first building in Waukee Iowa, a western suburb of Des Moines. Mullen’s high energy, R&B worship and positive message emphasizes the "goodness and grace of God" in the life of everyone one and believes anything is possible when we dream big enough to include God. He’s recorded 4 live worship CD’s and one Christmas CD. Mullen lives in the Des Moines IA. area with his wife Cathy and two children. Relationships and family He has been married to his wife, Cathy, since 1989. They have two children together. Politics In 2010 Mullen initiated www.IowaPastors.com a website designed to unite, inspire and equip pastors to teach about involvement of pastors and all Christians in local and national government. He was one of many leaders who encouraged Iowa voters to stand up against what he considered “out of control judges”. On November 2, 2010 all three Supreme Court Justices up for retention were UNretained sending a shock across Iowa and the nation.

In December 2011, Mullen announced he’s running for the Senate District 22 in 2012 and said his campaign will focus on individual rights and responsibility, the respect for the Constitutional rule of law, free enterprise, restraints on taxing and government spending, limited government, inalienable human rights for the born and unborn, the integrity of the traditional family as the basic unit of society and the freedom of religion.

Mullen was born in Connecticut and grew up in southern California. He helped start the church in 1995, which now has more than 2,000 attendees. He and his wife Cathy live in Clive with their two children. The district has no incumbents due to this year’s redistricting. Sen. Pat Ward, R-West Des Moines, has said she plans to move and run in the district.

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2011/09/27/waukee-pastor-announces-run-for-senate/