Jersey Church Announces New Senior Pastor

On Sunday morning, August 20, 2023, church members of Jersey Church in New Albany, OH, voted to elect Matt Read as their new Senior Pastor.

In January of this year, after more than four decades of faithful service to Jersey Church, Pastor John Hays announced his desire to retire from his role as Senior Pastor. “This has been forty-two years of the most joy-filled pastoring anyone could ever dream of,” Pastor John shared.

The Church Council at Jersey immediately began the search process for their new Senior Pastor. After much prayer and careful consideration, Matt Read emerged as the candidate who best aligned with the church's mission and values and demonstrates a deep commitment to fostering a thriving spiritual community. His passion for ministry, reaching the lost for Christ, and his heart for the church left the Search Team and Church Council confident in recommending Matt Read to the church as candidate for Senior Pastor.

Marc Richcreek, Chairman of Church Council, shared, “I am very excited to welcome Matt Read as our Next Senior Pastor. On behalf of our Search Team and Church Council, I would like to thank our entire church family. Their enthusiasm and support over the last seven months has been truly remarkable. I look forward to joining God at work and watching what He will do next as Pastor Matt leads our church into the future.”

Having served in inner-city Los Angeles planting Gospel-Centered house churches, in discipleship and young adult ministries, and most recently in his role as Next Gen Minister at Jersey Church, Matt brings many years of ministry experience. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Denver Seminary, and his theological insights and compassionate nature have touched the lives of many. Matt and his wife, Mary, have three boys (Caleb, Sam, and Lucas).

Matt shared, “Mary and I are humbled and honored and grateful that God has placed me in the position of Senior Pastor at Jersey Church. Jersey Church is a wonderful spiritual family, full of faithful, caring and godly people. Following a pastor and leader like Pastor John Hays leaves incredibly large shoes to fill, but we trust God will continue to move in and through His people here at Jersey. God is always faithful, and He is on the move in Central Ohio. We are thankful we get to be part of His work.”

Jersey Church expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Pastor John and Jan for their unwavering dedication and countless contributions to the spiritual growth of the church. Pastor John’s legacy will forever be cherished in the hearts of those he has touched, and his impact will continue to resonate far beyond the walls of Jersey Church.

Succession Sunday will take place on Sunday, September 3, during all morning worship services. The entire congregation, as well as members of the community, are invited to attend this momentous occasion and extend their warm welcome to Pastor Matt Read as he takes on his new responsibilities.

For media inquiries or additional information about the appointment of Matt Read as Senior Pastor, please visit: jerseychurch.org/pastorsearch