Pastor

Reverend Jonathan Hayashi obtained his Bachelor Of Arts in Religion with a concentration in Pastoral Ministries from Vanguard University of Southern California in 1997. He was ordained by the local church, Plymouth Congregational Church (affiliated with the NACCC) in 2000. Rev. Hayashi started as a part time youth director in 1994 while at Plymouth, eventually ending up full time as the Director of Christian Education and Youth Pastor. He transitioned to Heritage Church of Odessa to become the Senior Pastor in December of 2007 where he currently serves in the same capacity.

Outside of pastoring a small rural church in Eastern Washington, Pastor Jon loves the outdoors and spending time with his family camping. He also enjoys coaching, writing music, playing his guitars, and assisting his wife with their hobby farm. He’ll even still put on his basketball shoes and play a game with the local town team as time allows. A couple bucket list items he has is to someday write a book, record a CD of his original songs, and visit Japan.

A couple of Pastor Jon’s life verses are:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5–8, NASB95)

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (Philippians 3:10, NIV84)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7, NASB95)

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10, NASB95)