Rev. Jefferson M. Furtado is a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He began his journey in the United States in Holly Springs. Mississippi—graduating from Rust College, a historically black liberal arts college and one of our United Methodist higher education institutions. He later continued studies, receiving a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Church Renewal from United Theological Seminary as well as a post-graduate certificate in Homiletical Peer-Coaching through Vanderbilt Divinity School.

Jefferson is passionate about the life of faith and the work of the church. In particular, Jefferson feels called to the work of equipping individuals who respond to God’s gracious invitation of love. He believes that nothing is more worthwhile than the work of equipping individuals for their calling, connecting them with partners for the journey, and creating environments where they grow to become the people God has created them to be.

Jefferson brings diverse work experience, having served in local congregations, United Methodist general agency, corporate settings, and an institution of Higher Education.

Jefferson is married to the Rev. Linda Louise Furtado, a native of Nashville, TN. Linda serves as pastor of Beech Grove UMC in Nashville. Together, the Furtados are blessed with three amazing daughters Sueli, Cintia, and Emma.