Pastor Jerry was born and raised in Michigan graduating from Manistique High School in 1972. After high school he spent four years in the U.S. Coast Guard and in the summer of 1977 he began studying for the ministry at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. (Hear Pastor Jerry’s testimony in Revelation Series Part 25—Saved by Grace.)
That fall he met and became engaged to Karen Horner from Indianapolis, Indiana; four months later, they married in February 1978. (In the sermon Parable of the Wedding Garment you can hear how they met.) Karen is an occupational therapist working in the Bradley County Schools in Tennessee.
Their daughter Hannah married Mickey Ortell; their son Jeremy married Laurel Towles and their youngest son Joshua married Amanda Hayes. In October 2007 they became grandparents to a new grandson!
Jerry has a BA in theology from Andrews University an MA in religion (homiletics and soul-winning) from Southern Adventist University and is completing a Doctor of Ministry degree in expository preaching from Andrews University. His hobbies include reading, golfing, skeet shooting and cheering on the Colts. His greatest delight is spending time with Karen and their family.
