OUR TEAM

---

Jon grew up in Paradise Valley, Arizona, a member at Valley Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale, Arizona while also attending a Jesuit High School in Central Phoenix. From a very early age, Jon knew he wanted to be a minister. Upon graduating High School, he went to Whitworth University, a Presbyterian college in Spokane, Washington. He graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and his doctoral degree from Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota in collaboration with Gallup. His dissertation focused on strengthening churches through Gallup Strengths Based Ministry.

Jon’s first call was as an Associate Pastor at Eastridge Presbyterian Church in Lincoln Nebraska. He served there until early 2004 when he served for 18 months here at First Presbyterian Church in Wahoo, following the retirement of Dr. Knudsen. He then served Interim Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Schuyler.

In 2008, Jon was called as Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Omaha. In this position he built up a fantastic staff who led the church to become more focused on mission and educational ministries. After 15 years, Jon sensed that it was time to let the church grow in a different direction and serve as an interim pastor for Peace Presbyterian Church in Elkhorn, preparing them for their next pastor, before coming back to Wahoo in February 2024.

He has served as a General Assembly and Synod Commissioner, chaired the Synod Communications committee, instructed at Synod School, served as  the local Youth Triennium Registrar several times, and served on various Presbytery committees/councils of his local Presbytery. In 2019 he led his presbytery’s response to the flood disaster, securing grants and forming work teams to help with the rebuilding effort primarily in Valley, Nebraska.

Jon and Lori were married in 2005. Together, they enjoy hiking in the National Parks, camping, spending time with friends and traveling. In his free time, Jon enjoys spending time with his family, (including two grown stepchildren and 2 dogs, three grandchildren, as well as bonus grandchildren by their exchange student from Germany), playing games, attending theatrical and musical productions and watching television and movies with his wife.