Rev Vaughn Stafford – Pastor of Worship & Design, Saint James UMC, Montgomery, AL
Vaughn was born in Livingston, AL and moved to Eufaula, AL when he was three. At age eight, his family moved to Anderson, IN where his dad took a basketball-coaching job, after winning the state championship at Eufaula High in 1978. It was with that high school team that Vaughn accepted Christ in a hotel room in Nashville, TN, at age 11. Just a year later, he had his first studio singing opportunity at Gaither Studios with Sandy Patti and has sung with many artists since. He has been blessed to lead worship and speak all over North America for numerous denominations at revivals, camp meetings, conventions and leadership conferences.
He is a graduate of Anderson University and Asbury Seminary. He is currently pursuing Elder's orders in the United Methodist church.
In 1995 he met his beautiful wife, Cindy; they married in April of 1997 (just six months after entering full time ministry). In August of 1998, they celebrated the birth of their first child, Ellie. On their eighth anniversary they adopted their son, William, from Russia in 2005.
His passion for seeing God’s people "sell out" to Him completely in worship and life moved him from touring to the local church. Since beginning ministry in 1996, he has served as Pastor of Worship and/or Youth at churches in Decatur, AL, Huntsville, AL, Columbus, MS, Tuscaloosa, AL and Marietta, GA.
In November of 2008 the Staffords moved from an Atlanta suburb to Montgomery, AL. At Saint James UMC, they are engaged in transformational ministries and Vaughn is the Pastor of Worship and Design. His life story is one that fleshes out the beautiful truth that God is at work bringing about good for all who are called according to Christ's purpose. The churches, annual conferences and roles have varied, but Vaughn's love of his reconciling God, Christ's bride-the church and spirit filled passion for people have been a constant.