About Jason Elder

I was lucky enough to grow up with two hard-working, loving parents who taught me about honesty, hard work, and being aware of your neighbor’s needs. I was raised in beautiful, rural Mississippi with farmers, factory workers, and friends who still impact me with their kindness, storytelling, and faith.

While in high school I sensed a call to ministry, and for nearly 3 decades I have been involved in it in some form. I love to read, think, speak, and write about faith in simple terms.

I received a Bachelor's in Biblical Studies from Blue Mountain College in Blue Mountain, MS. I hold a Master of Divinity from Golden Gate Theological Seminary (now Gateway), in Marin County, California. I’ve pastored churches in rural and urban centers, church plants, and one founded 16 years before George Washington was born and another founded about 30 years before the civil war. My calling has taken me coast to coast and exposed me to the rich tapestry of our global faith.

I’ve been fortunate enough to serve as President of the Classis of Mid-Hudson Classis (regional governing body) and also serve on the board of the  KSwish Foundation a non-profit that helps children and families impacted by cancer by utilizing one of my passions, basketball.

About www.pastorjasonelder.com

I first got the idea of starting a website from a conversation with my wife, who is an artist and art teacher in the Hudson Valley. She shared Austin Kleon’s book with me, “Show Your Work.” In it, he suggests we show the process and the end result and build a community around it. I realized that I was doing a lot of meaningful stuff - writing liturgies, writing notes for bible study, and writing engaging sermons - yet all of it was being used once and then living on my laptop for years, not helping anyone. I decided to freshen up the documents and share them with you and 14,000 others in my first year.

I know the weight of our beautiful calling. It often takes grace and grit. Hang in there. Let’s help each other.

I see that there is a worldwide community of Christians online whose faith is seeking to understand. I see you, pray for you, and hope my work helps along the way.

Grace and peace always,

Jason