John Ellas is Director of the Center for Church Growth and holds a Doctor of Ministry degree and certification as a church consultant from Fuller Theological Seminary in the field of Church Growth. Currently, John is an adjunct instructor with Harding Graduate School of Religion and Abilene Christian University, and is the author of Church Growth Through Groups, Clear Choices for Churches, and Measuring Church Growth. He is also editor of Church Growth Magazine.

John served as pulpit minister at the Campus View Church of Christ in Athens, Georgia from 1981 to 1985. Other ministries include North Baton Rouge Church of Christ in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (1979-81) and the Dodson Church of Christ in Dodson, Louisiana (1978-79).

A native of Alabama, John graduated from high school in Birmingham. He earned his B.S. degree at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 1970 and his M.S. in Education at Georgia Southern College in 1972. While in college John represented the United States on four international gymnastic teams, and at the 1971 Pan-American Games in Cali, Columbia, he won one gold medal, two silver medals and one bronze medal.

John began his career as a gymnastics coach and teacher at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama (1972-74). Other teaching experience includes Texas A & M University in College Station, Texas (1976-77).

His religious education began at Whites Ferry Road School of Biblical Studies in West Monroe, Louisiana (1978-79). John earned his M.A. degree in Religion from Harding Graduate School of Religion in Memphis, Tennessee (1979-81) and has done additional studies in Philosophy and Theology at the University of Georgia in Athens.

He is married to the former Cherry Lovitt. They have two children: Tearsa Ellas Harlan and Jonathan.