For thirty years, I’ve done my best to show up for other people. As a pastor and chaplain, I’ve sat at hospital bedsides, prayed with families on the worst days of their lives, preached through seasons of joy and grief, and tried to be a steady presence wherever I was needed. Ministry has never paid much, and I never went into it for the money. I went into it because I believe in caring for people.
Right now, I’m the one who needs a little care.
Over the past year, I completed a residency program to earn my chaplaincy credentials. It was a calling I’m proud to have answered, and it has opened the door to a new position that begins on November 30. That’s the good news, and I’m grateful for it.
The hard part is the stretch between now and then. During this same season, I went through a divorce, and the transition out of residency left me without steady income. I’ve been driving for Uber to keep things moving, and I’m thankful for every ride. But in my area, it simply isn’t enough to replace what I was earning or keep up with the bills and debt that have piled up.
I’m a father of four. Three of my children are grown, and one is still at home, and I want to be a dad who is stable and present for all of them. I’m asking for help reaching $10,000 to pay down debt and cover my living expenses until my new job starts, so I can begin this next chapter on solid ground instead of starting already behind.
Asking for help doesn’t come easily to me. I’ve spent most of my life on the other side of this conversation. But I’ve also learned, through years of ministry, that letting others carry us for a while isn’t weakness. It’s part of how community works.
If you can give, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a real difference. If you can’t give right now, I’d be just as grateful for your prayers or for you sharing this page with someone who might help.
With gratitude and hope,
Jake
paypal.me/jakester1973