Brian Jacobson: Pastor
Welcome to our website! At the cost of sounding a bit cheesy, let me begin my biographical comments by saying how glad I am that you’ve navigated your way here.
As for me, the main thing I suppose I’d communicate to you is that I love being the pastor of the church that meets at First Pres. Oostburg (FPO). They (we) are a people asking really good questions (like “how do we faithfully and relevantly share the message of Jesus Christ in our particular context and in the world?”) and doing good work (like supporting missionaries, raising money for needy youth and families, visiting people in nursing homes, praying for the sick, teaching the Bible...you get the picture).
Beyond that, you might want to know that I got my undergrad in Religious Studies at Missouri State University in 2000 and my M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. in 2003. In 2004 I became the College Ministries Director at a large Presbyterian Church and after 6 years in college ministry I moved into ordained ministry and became the pastor of FPO. I’ve been married to my wonderful wife Courtney since June 10, 2000 and we adopted our son Theo in September of 2010. I enjoy sports (Go Broncos!), movies, video games, reading about wizards, orcs, culture, and theology (probably in that order), and spending time with my family. My favorite color is orange. My middle name is Maurice. And I eat my steak rare.
As for me, the main thing I suppose I’d communicate to you is that I love being the pastor of the church that meets at First Pres. Oostburg (FPO). They (we) are a people asking really good questions (like “how do we faithfully and relevantly share the message of Jesus Christ in our particular context and in the world?”) and doing good work (like supporting missionaries, raising money for needy youth and families, visiting people in nursing homes, praying for the sick, teaching the Bible...you get the picture).
Beyond that, you might want to know that I got my undergrad in Religious Studies at Missouri State University in 2000 and my M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. in 2003. In 2004 I became the College Ministries Director at a large Presbyterian Church and after 6 years in college ministry I moved into ordained ministry and became the pastor of FPO. I’ve been married to my wonderful wife Courtney since June 10, 2000 and we adopted our son Theo in September of 2010. I enjoy sports (Go Broncos!), movies, video games, reading about wizards, orcs, culture, and theology (probably in that order), and spending time with my family. My favorite color is orange. My middle name is Maurice. And I eat my steak rare.
Bill Ver Velde: Youth Director
It's hard to imagine that I've been at FPO for seven years! Perhaps that implies two things: 1. I can officially call myself a "veteran youth worker" and 2. I must really love this place!
These past seven years have been some of the best of my life. FPO was my first youth ministry position and I love this place even more now than when I started! In 2011, our daughter Brynn was born! And in 2013, I enrolled in Northern Seminary to pursue my Master's in Ministry.
Walking alongside students as they grow in Christ is one of my greatest joys! I am blessed to be in a place that is committed to discipling their young people for Christ. I'd invite you to visit our youth ministry Facebook page for a glimpse of what's happening in the lives of our students!
These past seven years have been some of the best of my life. FPO was my first youth ministry position and I love this place even more now than when I started! In 2011, our daughter Brynn was born! And in 2013, I enrolled in Northern Seminary to pursue my Master's in Ministry.
Walking alongside students as they grow in Christ is one of my greatest joys! I am blessed to be in a place that is committed to discipling their young people for Christ. I'd invite you to visit our youth ministry Facebook page for a glimpse of what's happening in the lives of our students!
