ABOUT JARED

Pastor | Speaker | Consultant

20+ Years of Ministry Experience

I grew up in an all white community in Northwest Iowa and attended an all white church. My understanding of the world outside of my small farming town was pretty small. But, I can remember vividly watching the news one night and seeing a man named Rodney King being ruthlessly and brutally beaten in the street. As a 9 year old kid, I felt deep pain and confusion. As I grew in my faith and ultimately into my role as a pastor, I continued to be exposed to more racial disparity and injustice in our world and eventually in our churches. I also became increasingly aware in the study of the scriptures that God’s plan for a unified multi-ethnic body was not only the vision of something yet to come, but also my responsibility in the here and now to be part of the restorative work.

I have had both the incredible privilege and challenge of working as a pastor in a church where we discuss and pursue racial justice. While we are still a predominantly white church, we are increasingly multi-ethnic and looking more and more like the vision of Revelation 7:9. Optics and representation is only a small part of the equation. We recognize the work of justice and equity still continues on. Getting to this place, however, comes with sacrifice, pain, and lament. 

I recognize there are specifically white pastors all over the country who want to reflect more of the multi-ethnic vision of the scriptures, but aren’t sure where to start or are unaware of what that journey looks like. Sometimes they may not feel like they have the support of their elders, their staff, or the whole church. Maybe you are one of those pastors. I want to help build the multi-ethnic vision of the Kingdom of God with you.