About Duane Stark

Duane dedicates his time to his family, teaching, preaching, and to financial coaching (as a Ramsey Certified Financial Coach). He spent the past decade as an Oregon State Representative (8 years) and a Pastor at River Valley Church in Grants Pass, Oregon. Born and raised in Southern Oregon, Duane went on to complete a bachelor's degree in Psychology at the University of Oregon and a master's from Multnomah University.
Duane's professional background includes Adjunct Professor, State Representative (former), International Missions Pastor, Local Outreach Pastor,  Community Service Supervisor, Inner-City At-Risk Youth Director, Supervisor for a Residential Psychiatric Treatment Center, a fitness club manager, a personal trainer and sheet metal fabricator.
In the community, Duane has conducted seminars focusing on crime prevention and emergency preparedness. He was a Board Member for the Community Bridges Foundation and has served on the FireWise Advisory Committee in the Grants Pass area to prevent losses from wildfires. He was an organizer for a community wide program called SERVE GP. He helped establish A.C.T (Abolish Child Trafficking) Southern Oregon and  K.I.D.S in Uganda to help rescue orphans. In addition, Duane coordinated the creation of CAFAY, the Community Alliance for At-risk Youth and helped launch "Every Child" in Josephine County.

In the legislature, Duane helped pass several important pieces of legislation for Jackson and Josephine County, including; 

• New Judgeships for both Jackson & Josephine County
• Funding and other legislation for Sobering Centers
• Grant funding for local public safety
• Changes in the Foster Care System
• Anti-Sex Trafficking legislation

Duane has been married to his wife for more than 19 years. They are the proud parents of eight children and have been certified foster parents for over a decade. Duane focuses his time on teaching, financial coaching, pastoral ministry and bringing awareness to the plight of foster children around the nation.