Jeff Haanen

  • Job.  I’m the CEO and Founder of Denver Institute for Faith & Work. DIFW provides education on issues related to work, calling and culture.  Over the years, I’ve help to launch the 5280 Fellowship, CityGate, the Faith & Work Classroom, the Faith & Work podcast, and Business for the Common Good.
  • Interests. My favorite author by far is British theologian and missionary Lesslie Newbigin. His book The Gospel in a Pluralist Society has uniquely shaped me.
  • Background. I’m a Scandinavian who grew up in the frozen Minnesotan suburbs with a Fargo-style accent. Nonetheless, God has sent me to Mexico to study abroad, to Ecuador as a missionary, and to Denver to work with Hispanic immigrants as a pastor and teacher. I speak Spanish, I’m white – and 6’5”. God sure has a sense or humor.
  • Writing. I’ve had the privilege of writing for Christianity Today, The Review of Faith and International Affairs, Independent School, and Comment Magazine. I also wrote a short book on retirement.  My two favorite quotes on writing: “Make them see.” Joseph Conrad. “Write the truest sentence you can.” Ernest Hemingway. My favorite editor: George Orwell. His six rules for writing are my constant tutor.
  • Family. I’m married to a beautiful wife and have four gorgeous little girls. Yes, four.
  • Education. I completed my Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary in 2009 and my undergraduate degree in International Economics & Cultural Affairs and Spanish from Valparaiso University in 2005.
  • Faith. Bottom line: I am a servant of Jesus Christ. As my favorite song (“In Christ alone” by Keith Getty) goes, “I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ.”
Contact Me