About Our Church
The First Presbyterian Church of Jasper (FPCJ) is a historical church with roots dating back to 1817 making it the first church in the Jasper area. We are in a relatively new building (2002) which sits on five acres in Jasper on a major street in the midst of the city. The church is debt free.
What we don't have is a shepherd, a leader, a pastor. The congregation has dwindled down to just a handful of committed, determined members. This has occurred due to splitting from the PCUSA and a tenuous journey in seeking another affiliation. We are moving toward joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARPC) of the Missouri Valley Presbytery.
We are just loaves and fish knowing that this is how God works. There are lots of churches of various denominations and a large Catholic presence, but no other reformed Presbyterian churches within a 60 mile radius of Jasper. A large portion of the population remains unchurched.
We are just loaves and fish knowing that this is how God works and are excited about what God will do. We seek a man to catch this vision of growing a vibrant, discipleship building, missional and Gospel proclaiming community.
We desire a man who understands and unpacks the Gospel in all of life. We envision young people, families, children here.. multi generational and being a welcoming light to this community. The right fit would be an outgoing, people person who can reach out into the community. We expect the right candidate to possess, or in process of obtaining, a Master’s of Divinity and ordination.
We would be able to provide a total compensation package of $45,000 for a bi-vocational pastor to start. As finances improve through congregational growth, the position would be changed to full time. This could happen sooner if the candidate is able to raise additional support.
In summary, we are seeking a man who can effectively unpack the whole counsel of God, has a strong reformed theology and who is ready to see God do amazing things.
We invite all to apply who are up for this opportunity to trust God and see Him work a miracle in Jasper and throughout this region.
About Our City and County
Jasper, population about 16,700, sits amid the rolling hills and fields of corn, soy beans, and wheat in beautiful southern Indiana, just an hour and half from Wendell Berry country. It is the county seat of Dubois County which often leads the state in lowest unemployment of all 92 Indiana counties. It is the home of several large corporations such as Jasper Engines and Transmissions, MasterBrand Cabinets, Kimball International and Meyer Distributing. It has a great school system and a regional hospital. Jasper is the hub of a wheel with spokes to larger cities (Indianapolis-2 hours, Louisville-1 1/2 hours, Evansville- 1 hour).
Jasper enjoys the presence of Vincennes University Jasper Center, a 140 acre local campus of Vincennes University. Adjacent to the campus is the Jasper Arts Center, which consists of a 675 seat theater and visual art galleries.
Jasper is in its final stage of 2 1/2 year downtown revitalization project. Near downtown is the River Centre which offers apartments, restaurants, event spaces and other business spaces. Across the street is the new 3000 square ft Thyen-Clark Cultural Centre which houses the Jasper Public Library and an arts wing featuring galleries and studios. A seasonal farmers market featuring locally grown products is set up at the Cultural Centre parking lot on Saturdays.
Jasper’s population significantly increases in size during the day as people come to town to work and conduct business, shop in our big box Home Depot and Super Wal-Mart stores and small shops and dine in our varied restaurants. A particularly busy time in Jasper occurs the first week of August annually, as this German heritage city celebrates Stassenfest, a four-day German street festival.
Jasper has a well managed park system of several neighborhood parks, a new municipal pool being built and many walking and biking paths, one of which passes directly in front of our church. Jasper Parklands is a centrally located 75 acre park which has play areas, a 2 mile long paved walking path, exercise stations, a pavilion, ponds for fishing and a waterfall at walking path bridge. A $60 million YMCA is expected to open in 2 years on property contiguous with the Jasper Parklands.
for additional insights into the community please visit the following websites:
jasperindiana.gov
jasperarts.org
explorejasperin.com