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Jason Patterson was
born on August 16, 1977 in Gaffney, South Carolina. Though
into something most of the time, he survived his
developmental years in a Christian home with his sister
Casey, and parents, Robert and Rita. While growing up
attending Pleasant Hill and Kirby Memorial Baptist Churches
in Cherokee County, God moved in his life both to the point
of embracing Christ as Savior and sensing the call of God on
his life.
In the summer between his Junior and Senior years of high
school, Jason came to the point of a very personal encounter
with God. It was clear that he had come to the crossroads,
at which he was faced with the choice of whether or not to
follow God with a fully surrendered life. This is when the
noticeable change came, as he gave his heart and life
completely to the Lord.
Jason began living out his faith, including sharing God’s
message and his own story from time to time with
individuals, churches, youth groups, and schools- wherever
God provided the opportunity. One thing led to
another, and in the spring of 1995 (Jason’s senior year), he
was licensed as a minister of the Gospel. JP continued to
grow under the leadership of God’s spirit.
Upon graduation from high school, Jason felt God
leading him to attend North Greenville College. He received
a BA in Christian Studies from NGC in the spring of 2000.
While in college JP held several ministry positions
including youth ministries and interim pastorates. He even
spent one summer as a NAMB missionary, working in a newly
planted church in Massachusetts. In August of 1997, Pacolet
Road Baptist Church in Gaffney called him as their pastor.
JP was ordained on September 21st of that year.
After a couple of great years, he left to focus on finishing
his education.
In his
final year of college, and in the years following, Jason has
been blessed with the opportunity to speak extensively to a
variety of audiences across the country. At age 22,
following graduation, Jason served as team leader and
preacher on the Baptist Student Union’s Summer Impact Team
from North Greenville. He was granted the privilege of
traveling across the eastern United States leading retreats
and services with four other wonderfully gifted students.
God used this experience to open many other doors,
eventually leading him to Texas as Student Minister at First
Baptist Church Lorena.
Moving to
Texas in 2002, allowed Jason to pursue his dream of becoming
a student at Dallas Theological Seminary. He is currently
finishing his Masters degree. In 2004, God moved
specifically in JP’s life toward the creation of Real
Life Ministries. What an experience it has been!
Jason is
now 27 years old. He is still consumed with the amazing
journey that is walking with Christ. He still enjoys the big
city, fast cars, tasty treats, long walks, good music, and a
good laugh. To him the privilege of just being alive is...
as he would say…unbelievable. JP is a sports freak and ESPN
junkie, who attends every game he can. He lives and dies
with his beloved SF Giants, New England Patriots, and South
Carolina Gamecocks. He is very patriotic and grabs much
enjoyment from the blessing of living in America. He always
speaks with pride about the uniqueness of his home state of
South Carolina. Jason is the eternal joker, but is very
serious about one thing… …relationship with God.
For a
decade now, JP has traveled the country presenting the hope
of Christ to the world and challenging believers to settle
for no less than God’s very best for their lives, through a
daily walk of faithful service to Him. Jason allows God to
speak through him in an exciting, passionate, and
inspirational way. He tailors his message to a specific
audience, whether it is children, youth, or adults. For more
information on his interests, views, and background; you are
invited to view the question and answer portion of this
section.
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