Jeremy is the most recent member to join the Chicago Outpost team. After having served as a pastor for 3 years in Texas, he recognized God was leading him to step out in faith to another form of ministry. As Jeremy notes, "I really don't feel like I made this decision--I was just carried along in the process; I wasn't the driver." God put him in touch with Daniel Mesa, the director of Chicago Outpost, and through several weeks of prayer and correspondence they saw that Someone bigger than them was making the decision for Jeremy to join the team.

Jeremy was born and raised in beautiful northern California. His parents chose to focus on raising their family in a country setting rather than seeking financial success at the expense of their children. At one point early on in Jeremy's life, his father had a critical decision to make: pursue a career in computers and move to Silicone Valley, or remain in Fort Bragg working as a janitor. "My dad had the highest scores in the history of the college on some computer exams which he took. He had a full ride, but turned it down in order to focus on building a strong family."

This decision influenced Jeremy in two very critical ways. First, the family was very poor. "We never had a washer or dryer in our home. When we got old enough my sisters and I would walk down to the laundromat carrying our dirty laundry bags over our shoulders with a pile of quarters in our pocket. I figured only the rich kids could do their laundry at home."

Second, they spent most of their lives together as a family, building close relationships. "My family was very poor, but rich in love. I can remember as a teenager friends coming over just to hang out around a family that really loved each other. We had people in our home that we barely knew, teens would just wander in and out of the house during Friday night Bible studies."

Jeremy made his decision to follow Jesus and join the Seventh-day Adventist church at the age of 10. After that time, the church became more and more an integral part of his life. "To me, Sabbath was the best day of the week. I loved seeing all the people at church. Our youth group was the best, even though two thirds of the people were over the age of 30. I guess they sensed the incredible love there and wanted to be a part of it." Part of the Sabbath experience was helping those who were less fortunate. "During church I would notice the visitors that no one would sit by or talk to, the crazy ones, or those who smelled like alcohol. After the service I would make a beeline for that person and invite them to my house. I was only 14 or 15 but I knew that my mom would always have enough to feed a small army and that my dad would always talk to them and make them feel relaxed and respected."

Jeremy attended Pacific Union College and earned his Bachelor of Theology degree. During that time he met the kindest girl in his life, Lisha Baines. They were married in 1997. Lisha has a Bachelors degree in Music and is endorsed in Elementary Education. They have three children, Jenna, Asher, with twins "on the way."

After years of study and ministry Jeremy says that God is bringing him back around to the themes he learned as a child from his parents, particularly his mother. "Through all my searching, education, and theological study, I have learned a few very simply things: love is the greatest thing in the universe; freedom to choose or reject God is a principle that even God Himself respects and will not violate; I am a sinner; God's grace is bigger than even my sin."

Jeremy enjoys playing piano, acapella music, computers, reading, videography, outdoors, and hanging out with his family.