Jay Westra
FAMILY:
HOMETOWN: Wheaton, IL
SPOUSE NAME: Lori Westra
MINISTRY:
SERVING AS: Director of Senior High Ministries
DUTIES: Engage in the lives of senior high students and their families. Care for and lead those involved in the senior high ministry: students, parents, leaders and others in the ministry of Central and St. Louis. Plan for Sunday School, small groups, trips and other events in the life of the senior high group. Involvement in the life of Central: liturgy, teaching, counseling, and encouraging, and actively participating in the family of God here.
PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY & LIFE: Love God and Love People. I have a blast being formed and fashioned as a man, by God, and doing all that I can to live out and pass along His love, truth, and promised abundant life. Our world is under so many influences of culture, philosophy and spirituality. Our world is also under the influence of evil, darkness, sin. These messages can be tough to wade through and discern the “right path” in life. The greatest force the world knows is the God who created it and longs to make it right. This God gives us the answer to the “right path” question...and all the other smaller questions that pop up along the way. Jesus Christ is the guide to everyone’s path. Our God is an awesome God wholly defined by love, mercy, goodness, grace and power. I’ve come to know that His message is stronger, louder and more meaningful than any other, and is the one that I try, as best I can, to follow with everything I’ve got.
EDUCATION: B.A. in Communications—Wheaton College, M.Div—Covenant Seminary
FAVORITES:
PASSIONS: I love my wife, my family, friends and others who God puts into my life...and our dog, Mesa. I’m a big sports fan: college football, tennis, golf, march madness...any sport with a ball really. I also enjoy being outdoors...seeing Creation, road-tripping, camping, skiing, swimming, walking. Cigars. Naps. Order. Peace. Being laid back, relaxed and content...not that I’ve attained these but I’m working on ‘em
SCRIPTURES: Gen 1-3, Ps 19, Gospels, Rom 8, Gal 5, Phil 2&3, Heb 12, Rev 21
MUSIC: Bebo Norman, The Fray, Hillsong United, David Crowder, Rascal Flatts, Chris Tomlin, Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Vertical Horizon, The Samples, Third Day, Christmas music, Frank Sinatra, Kenny Chesney, U2, Coldplay...music is so good
MOVIES: Braveheart, Lord of the Rings, 300, Back to the Future, Fletch and the good Vacation movies with Chevy Chase, Last of the Mohicans, Bourne’s, The Ultimate Gift, Christmas Blessing, The Grinch, Sahara
FOODS: Burgers, Steaks, Pizza, Quesadillas, Wings, Pasta, Stroganoff, Breakfast of almost any kind, Sweet Tea, Beer, Water, Coffee, Milk
FAVORITE MINISTRY WEBSITES/PODCASTS: www.268generation.com, www.cpyu.org, www.johnortberg.com, www.desiringgod.org, www.youthspecialties.com
