As the Response Campus Pastor, Jake is helping to build the Kingdom of God in downtown Indianapolis by leading people in that area into a community of diversity and compassion. Jake planted Response Church in 2008 and has seen God do some amazing things in the lives the church has touched.

Family: Wife, Bethany; and son, Gideon

Hometown: Jeffersonville, IN

Educational Background: Jeffersonville High School, '00; Cincinnati Christian University, BS in '05

Career Background: I worked as a worship pastor for six years in Louisville, KY, before making the big change to plant a church in downtown Indianapolis. I am blessed to have been a part of some amazing churches and love living in downtown Indy.

Hobbies: I rock climb and have been cycling my entire life. I am also huge into restoring old vehicles and motorcycles. I've found that working in the garage with my hands has been a great outlet over the past few years.

Best part about his job: I LOVE, and I do mean love, working with people who genuinely appreciate help. It is a beautiful thing to meet people who have no problem admitting that their life is broken and know it's time for a change. That, honestly, can be a bit overwhelming at first, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I love being in a situation that is so much bigger than me, that I must rely on God to show me the next move … it keeps me going.

Interesting things to know about Jake:

• I ride from Indy to Louisville (116 miles) several times a year just for fun. I have a goal to ride across the U.S. in one trip in the next five years.
• I've restored seven vintage motorcycles over the past couple years and have started into Volkswagen buses. I've finished four in the past couple years, and now I'm working on my dream car … a 1956 VW bus.
• I was bitten by a lion on my side when I was six … I had some really weird neighbors that had it as a pet.