About J.R.

The Rev. Dr. J.R. Briggs lives with a clear and focused calling: to grow fruit on other people’s trees.

His work seeks to bridge the gap between spiritual formation and actionable leadership practices, aiming to help faith leaders and their organizations grow both in their faith and their impact on their communities.

In 2011, he started Kairos Partnerships with a commitment to serve hungry kingdom leaders through leadership coaching, consulting, speaking, and teaching. He loves investing in the KP team of equippers so Kairos Partnerships can invest in all leaders who desire care and equipping.

For more than 15 years, J.R. served in pastoral roles in mega-churches, church plants, and house church networks. Since starting Kairos Partnerships, he has coached a wide variety of leaders, including business owners, pastors, college presidents, non-profit directors, entrepreneurs, Chick-fil-A Operators, Anglican bishops, attorneys, Blackhawk helicopter operators, school superintendents, and Division I college coaches.

In addition to coaching leaders and consulting with businesses, organizations, start-ups, churches, colleges, denominations, and non-profits, he also speaks and teaches regularly at conference, retreats, gatherings, and other training events.

He has taught in higher education since 2017. After teaching in the practical theology department at Missio Seminary, he now serves as guest instructor at Friends University in their Masters of Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership program and Taylor University in their Masters of Leadership program. He has guest lectured, taught, and spoken at over a dozen universities and seminaries across the U.S.

He also serves as the Director of Leadership & Congregational Formation for The Ecclesia Network and as a National Trainer & Strategist for Fresh Expressions U.S.

He has written, co-written, and contributed to 15 books on a wide variety of topics and published over 50 articles, both online and in print, including Christianity Today, Missio Alliance, Preaching Today, American Bible Society, and N.T. Wright Online.

He hosts the Resilient Leaders podcast, a weekly podcast equipping leaders to grow in their health and effectiveness.

He serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Jerusalem University College and on the Board of Advisors for the Institute for Bible Reading.

J.R. loves swimming, kayaking, skiing, hiking, reading, traveling, eating sushi and Thai food, and watching the Philadelphia Phillies.

He and his wife Megan have been married for over 23 years and have two teenage sons, Carter and Bennett. They live in the greater Philadelphia area.