The area in which Jason ministers is primarily suburban with a small-town feel. Jason lives and serves in and around Independence, Oregon, where many families know each other and the community is close-knit, yet there are still young people who struggle with direction, identity, and belonging. While the town is peaceful and surrounded by farmland and open spaces, the youth he works with often come from challenging situations—some are in the juvenile facility at MacLaren, while others are navigating difficult home lives or trying to find their place in school and community. The setting may be calm and quiet on the outside, but the need for mentorship, care, and spiritual guidance is deeply present.
The community in Independence is diverse, with families from a variety of cultural and economic backgrounds. Many households work in agriculture, local trades, service jobs, or commute to nearby cities for work. Some families are well-established and stable, while others face financial hardship or instability. Spiritually, the area includes a mix of Christian families, those who are loosely connected to faith, and others who have little exposure to church at all. Among the youth, there is often a hunger for belonging and identity—some come from loving homes, while others have experienced trauma, instability, or separation. Because of this, there is a real need for positive role models, consistent support, and a message of hope that speaks to both their everyday struggles and their deeper spiritual needs.
One of the biggest needs Jason sees in the community is the need for consistent, caring adults who are willing to invest in the lives of young people. Many youth feel misunderstood, disconnected, or isolated—some are dealing with unstable home environments, peer pressure, substance use, or a lack of positive direction. There is also a need for spaces where they can feel safe to be honest about what they’re going through without judgment. Spiritually, many young people have little understanding of who God is or how deeply they are loved, so there is a need for clear, compassionate discipleship that meets them where they are. Overall, the community needs mentorship, emotional support, and opportunities that build purpose, identity, and hope for the future.
Jason’s ministry seeks to meet these needs by being consistently present in the lives of the youth he serves. At MacLaren, he spends time listening, teaching, and encouraging the young men there, showing them that their past does not have to define their future. In his local community, he mentors youth one-on-one, offering guidance, accountability, and genuine relationship—often simply being someone they can trust and talk to. At my church’s youth group, Jason helps create a safe place where students can ask questions about faith, learn Scripture, and discover who they are in Christ alongside supportive peers and leaders. Whether inside the facility, out in the community, or at church, the heart of his ministry is the same: to meet young people where they are, walk with them through their struggles, and help them encounter the hope and identity that only Jesus can offer.
Jason became a missionary candidate in 2025. Jason is a husband and father who has experienced firsthand the transforming power of God’s grace. his past includes seasons of brokenness and incarceration, but it was in those moments that the Lord met him, restored him, and gave him a heart to reach young people who are walking similar roads. Jason began serving in youth ministry because he believes no one is too far gone and every young person deserves someone who will walk with them, believe in them, and speak life into their future. Over time, that calling led me to mentor youth in my community, serve at MacLaren Juvenile Facility, and help lead our youth group at church. Jason is working toward further ministry training so he can continue to grow in the calling God has placed on his life. What brought him to InFaith is the desire to partner with a ministry family that shares his heart for local mission—meeting people where they are, loving them as they are, and pointing them to Christ.