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 all around the world, raising money for needy youth and families, visiting people in nursing homes--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, movies, reading about culture and theology, and spending time with my family. My favorite color is orange. My middle name is Maurice. And I eat my steak rare.
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, movies, reading about culture and theology, 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
I had the blessing of growing up in small town Oostburg. After graduating from Oostburg High School, I traveled to the big city of Chicago and attended Moody Bible Institute. In 2007 I graduated from Moody with a B.A. in Youth Ministry. The summer after graduating, my wife Morgan and I capped off five years of dating by finally getting married. We moved to Fond du Lac, WI and I began substitute teaching.
There’s little I enjoy more than spending time with friends and being as social as possible. I also enjoy watching movies, discovering new music, and expanding my knowledge of tech. One of my pursuits is exploring the ministry implications of technology. If you're ever on PS3 and feel like paying Call of Duty, send me an invite. I adore working with students and learning about their lives. I hope that the students I work with see the difference Christ has made in my life and in turn, desire to grow their own personal relationships with Christ.
There’s little I enjoy more than spending time with friends and being as social as possible. I also enjoy watching movies, discovering new music, and expanding my knowledge of tech. One of my pursuits is exploring the ministry implications of technology. If you're ever on PS3 and feel like paying Call of Duty, send me an invite. I adore working with students and learning about their lives. I hope that the students I work with see the difference Christ has made in my life and in turn, desire to grow their own personal relationships with Christ.
