On August 27, 2023, the Congregation of the First Presbyterian Church elected the Rev. Jon Wasson to be the new Senior Pastor. We are delighted to announce that Rev. Wasson’s ministry with the church will begin on Sunday, October 22 at the 9:30 AM service, followed by fellowship.
About Rev. Jon Wasson
Jon is a native of Washington State who brings years of experience in large churches across the U.S. After studying religion at a small liberal arts college in Ohio, he made his way to Texas to serve as a youth director at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas, TX. There, Jon designed and implemented a small group ministry for over 500 youth and ran the confirmation program, pioneering an annual wilderness trip for confirmands that is still active today. Following nearly six years in Dallas, Jon attended Princeton Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Divinity and M.A. in Christian Education.
For the last eight years, Jon has served as Associate Pastor of Discipleship at Covenant Presbyterian Church, an 1,800-member church in Austin, TX. During that time, Jon strengthened efforts to disciple children, youth, and adults, developed a network of small groups, established a lecture series, grew an engaged young adult community, and launched a new model for adult spiritual formation in partnership with Fuller Theological Seminary.
This summer, Jon took a 12-week sabbatical. He began by making a pilgrimage by bike on the Camino de Santiago (“The Way of St. James”) in the northwest of Spain. The rest of Jon’s sabbatical included a residency at Laity Lodge in the Texas Hill Country, two family trips, several dinners with dear friends, and extended breaks at his in-laws’ lake house in North Texas, as well as time with his spiritual director. He returned from sabbatical refreshed and energized for this next season of ministry.
Jon is married to Abby, who is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in social world services to patients on dialysis and behavior health services to seniors. They have two sons, Thomas (9, entering fourth grade) and Eliot (6, entering first grade).
Jon is an avid trail runner, cyclist, outdoor enthusiast, newsletter subscriber, and devoted Arsenal fan.