I’m Jonathan, originally from Southern California, I moved to the Pacific Northwest a few years ago with my partner, Rhianna. We recently welcomed our first child, Arleta, and decided to make Tacoma our home shortly after. As we settle in, we’re excited to plant deep roots and become an active part of this vibrant community.

My faith journey is a bit unconventional, having been raised in an agnostic home. Despite that, I often found myself drawn to the Church, captivated by the loving, welcoming, and prophetic person of Jesus. As a biracial, bisexual nerd, I didn’t always feel welcomed or loved—especially in religious spaces. But that only deepened my desire to help others experience the love, welcome, and advocacy that Jesus offers. This calling led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies with a minor in Psychology, a Master of Pastoral Studies, and eventually to my ordination as an Assistant Pastor in 2015 and as a Pastor in 2018. 

Hey there! Church has always been a huge part of my life. My grandpa raised me to be a good little Catholic girl, and I cannot remember missing mass or Sunday school as a child. Once I was old enough to branch out more, I explored different denominations until I eventually got ordained in the American Baptist in 2019. My understanding of God and all the various ways I connect to our Creator is from my various church backgrounds, which I’m so grateful to have experienced. I felt the call to ministry at a very young age. As a freshman in high school, I was the Sunday school teacher for K-2, served in the nursery, and on the puppeteer team! Throughout my life I have always been in ministry in some capacity from various children and youth ministries, church planting, camp ministry and other non-profits. Most recently after graduating with my MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2017, I was the Associate Pastor of Campus Ministry at Grace Baptist Church in San Jose, CA.