Hi, I’m Jovan. I’m a native of San Francisco, California. I came to Christ as a young man after dropping out of high school, lost my way in the drug culture of “the City,” and roamed the streets as a gang member. Today I am a Christian, a husband, a father, and a preacher. I serve as the preacher for the Highland church of Christ in Bakersfield, CA.

I’m definitely not the worst story ever told, but I believe my experience is an example that no matter where you are from, no matter what you have done, no matter who you are there is a place for you in the kingdom of God. We’re all welcome to experience God’s grace revealed uniquely in the gospel of Jesus.

I grew up Roman Catholic but left of my own free will. Still, many seeds of faith were planted in my heart growing up. Yet, it was with the multi-racial, polylingual urban congregation known as the Civic Center church of Christ in downtown San Francisco (now the Oceanview church of Christ, Pacifica, California), where I first cut my teeth on faith and biblical learning. Then I studied at the Golden Gate Bible Institute, which was a training school hosted by the Airport church of Christ in South San Francisco, California.

I earned a B.A. in Bible from Freed-Hardeman University (Henderson, TN) and an M.A. in Christian Apologetics from the Talbot School of Theology, Biola (La Mirada, CA). My research and ministry focus on spiritual formation, male spiritual leadership, Christian and urban apologetics, biblical exegesis, and leadership/mentorship relationships.

My scholarship (whatever my training is worth) does not save me, however, it is only by God’s graciousness that I persevere. Point blank truth: Jesus transforms me, renews me, and inspires me to believe this world can be redeemed with the power of his kingdom.

Photography by Kristi Novak Montague

---

CV/Resume:

---