Cultivating Resilience: Strategies for Self–Care and Preventing Burn Out in Ministry
Demarcco S. J. Owens was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is an AVID Indianapolis Colts Fanatic! He and his wife, the former Candace Cook, have been married for 24 years. He has four children; Kynnedy, Jailyne, Kimbra, and Kyra. Additionally, he is a proud grandfather.
Demarcco has served in the Lord’s Church in various capacities including being the Senior Pastor of two congregations– Madison Avenue Church of Christ (Wichita, KS) and Sunset Boulevard Church of Christ (Columbia, SC). Having been a former athlete, Demarcco began coaching basketball so he may be involved in the molding process of young men. His main objective was/is to be a “Real-Model” instead of a “Role-Model” for young men struggling or just needing that positive influencer who will drive them in the right direction. He has had the privilege of coaching as an assistant and head basketball coach of middle, high school, and college teams. God blessed him to return to Southwestern Christian College, where he played, and serve as the Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach. His playing and coaching accomplishments include state title champion, four conference titles, two area titles, three regional championships, three district championships, several tournament championships, coach of the year, but most of all providing a God-centered approach to the lives of young men.
Demarcco received his Certificate of Ministry from Southwestern Christian College (Terrell, TX). He received his Bachelor’s degree in Religion and Gerontology with a Minor in Psychology from Wichita State University (Wichita, KS). Also, he received his Master of Arts in Christian Ministry with an emphasis in Biblical Interpretations and Family Counseling from Friends University (Wichita, KS). Currently, he is working on a Doctor of Education degree in Community Care and Counseling with an emphasis in Traumatology from Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA). He received Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units to further his educational and practical experience. Demarcco is a Certified Pastoral Counselor (CPC), Certified Mental Health Specialist (CMHS), Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Specialist (BHRS), and an integrated Christian Counselor/Therapist who believes that God can help reveal, recover, and reunited anyone who does the mental, physical and spiritual work to find HIM!