Pastor Jay Anderson
Growing up mostly in Houston, I attended church as a child, then less frequently after primary school. I found myself a young man with little understanding of who Jesus Christ really is, although I had heard the truth.
At Texas A&M University, studying psychology and "whatever else I felt like," it wouldn't be inaccurate to say that I came close to self-destructing. Looking back, it was the witness of friends, the prayers of my parents, my seeking heart, and two pivotal church services that were the human elements leading me toward the Lord. But I know that the heavenly Father was drawing me in, arranging the details of my life so that I could hear and respond (John 6:44).
I came to faith in Christ on my 21st birthday, trusting in the fact that Jesus died for my sins and rose again three days later. What a thrill to finally know who God was, and to feel His powerful love for me! I soon began to seriously pursue Bible study and Christian ministry.
After completing my psychology degree, I became engaged to Juli (God is so good!), who also grew up in the Houston area. I began serving as youth pastor for Simonton Community Church beginning in March of 1992, and Juli and I were married two months later.
Feeling the need to enrich my theological and ministry training, I attended Dallas Theological Seminary, earning a Master's degree in Biblical Studies.
Juli and I are blessed with six children, ranging in age from one month to thirteen years. After thirteen years of serving four different churches as youth pastor, I now help lead a church, Hempstead Bible Fellowship, where we desire to empower the dads to be the ultimate "youth ministers" -- the sherpherds of their children.