Quick Intro: Jacob grew up in West Salem, IL. He attended Edwards County High School in Albion, IL, then majored in Sport Management at Eastern Illinois University. Jacob's passion for youth developed with his own participation in high school youth group, and in May of 2015, Jacob was hired as Casey First Baptist's part-time youth minister, working mainly with the high school students. Then in January of 2017 he was brought on full-time as Student Ministry Director and now oversees all student ministries from birth through college.

Nickname: Jakey, Jakey-Pooh

Ministry Role: Student Ministry Director

Family: My wife, Makenzie

Dream Vacation: Israel or watching a game in every Major League Baseball stadium in one summer.

Regular Order at Starbucks: Grande coffee (hot or iced) with white mocha

Life Motto: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." -Romans 12:1-2

Favorite TV Show: The Office, Parks and Rec

Favorite Singer/Band: Shane & Shane, Phil Wickham

Favorite Scripture: "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." -Titus 3:5-7

Things That Fascinate Me: High School students, Space, Nature, and the way it gets a little bit colder right after the sun comes up.

Previous Jobs: Grass Service Specialist (I mowed yards), Professional Security Tag Remover (I was a cashier at Kohl's once), Executive Shelf Stocker (I worked at IGA, our local grocery store), Italian Cuisine Chef (I made pizzas at Casey's General Store in my home town)

When & Where I Got Saved: October of 2009 at age 17 in my high school's gymnasium

Sports I Am NOT Good At: Olympic Diving, Polo, and sometimes golf

Fears: Heights, Snakes (If they see me first)

People Who Inspire Me: David Platt, Any person with a passion for Jesus

Least Favorite Food: Peas

Life-Changing Moment: Meeting my wife, Makenzie

Favorite Book(s): Hatchet. Get Out: Student Ministry in the Real World. Church Planter. The Case For Christ.

Quirks: I always put my right shoe on first. I'm told that I make really good eye contact during conversation. Is that a quirk? I also walk on my toes sometimes (the explanation for this is too long. Let's get together and talk about it).

Things That Make Me Laugh: Children's minds. Almost falling on ice. And, to quote Simba, "I laugh in the face of danger!"

In My Spare Time: I watch baseball. Listen to and play music. I also enjoy a nice game of Risk every now and then.

Hidden Talent: I can burp on command.

The Most Exotic Place I’ve Ever Been: The deep woods of Edwards County, Illinois

The Most Adventurous Thing I’ve Ever Done: Tried decaf coffee… What's the point? Never again.