BACKGROUND
Jonathan grew up in the small town of New Holland, PA, and after graduating from Garden Spot High School (’97), attended Grove City College, where he obtained a BS in Marketing Management (’01). After graduation, Jonathan spent two years with Cintas Corporation, and after sensing a call to gospel ministry, later enrolled full-time at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. After completing his MDiv, Jonathan served for over seven years at North Park Church in Wexford, PA, as the Director of Student Ministry. In 2013, Jonathan and his family moved from Pittsburgh back to Lancaster County for the adventure of church revitalization at Jerusalem Church in the small town of Manheim. He is currently ordained in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
DOCTRINAL CONVICTIONS
Doctrinal integrity and transparency are essential. Creeds are both inevitable and necessary; everyone has a creed. As a Reformed pastor who is passionate about law and gospel expository preaching, Jonathan’s theological convictions are simple – the ecumenical creeds and Reformed confessions (the Westminster Standards and the Three Forms of Unity). These are treasures for the church.
INTERESTS
Jonathan enjoys time with Kristina (his wife) and their four kids, running, basketball, the Steelers, Phillies/Pirates baseball, fly fishing, hip hop, reading, and many other marvelous gifts from God.
CORE VALUES
REFORMED CONFESSIONALISM IS INVALUABLE
Reformed catechisms and confessions are subordinate to Scripture, but they are essential aids for rightly understanding, believing, and applying Scripture; we cherish and teach them because of their value.
DISTINGUISHING LAW & GOSPEL IS VITAL
Knowing the difference between the law and the gospel is essential for healthy Christians and churches; we strive to understand their unique purposes and enjoy their unique benefits.
CLEAR CHRIST-EXALTING PREACHING & TEACHING ARE TRANSFORMATIONAL
Life-transforming law and gospel preaching and teaching are clear, passionate, expositional, explicitly Christ-exalting, and aimed at the comfort, encouragement, and sanctification of Christ’s church; we preach the law and the gospel for God’s glory and the salvation, growth, and comfort of Christ’s church.
MEMBERSHIP IN A GOOD CHURCH IS ESSENTIAL
Christians cannot flourish and persevere in the faith apart from the means of grace, shepherding care, and communion of saints that Jesus Christ provides through membership in a local church; we delight in belonging to a local body of believers.
THE REFORMATION IS PERPETUAL
The lives of Christians and churches must always be reforming according to the Word of God; we pursue change to be more faithful to God’s Word.