Reverend Jason Richards |
Reverend Jason Richards, Minister
Hello!
My name is Jason Paul Richards. I was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. My parents are Bruce and Marg, and I have one sister; Tracy. My wife, Young Seo & I, currently reside in Estevan, Saskatchewan where I am the minister at St. Paul’s International Pastoral Charge, including also North Portal, SK and Portal, ND.
I have always been involved in the church, and I have very fond memories growing up at McClure United in Saskatoon. The minister, and my youth pastor were always very supportive, and gave me a wonderful grounding for my life. As I hit my 20s, I began to feel God’s call to ministry. When I say that story, my earlier minister loves to point out that when I was six years old I created a bulletin and played ‘church’ with my neighbour. So maybe the Call has been there for a while, but my dumb self didn’t notice it until my 20s! ☺
I met my minister, told him my thoughts, and he wholeheartedly agreed. I began my discernment process, and enrolled in St. Andrew’s College, Saskatoon. As the first year ended, I went before Conference for my inquirer’s interview. After my studies, they would choose my first church appointment. They informed me that coming from the largest United Church in Saskatchewan, they were going to send me to the smallest, remotest one they could find. Well, that did it. I was terrified, and I left school. I went to try to experience town life, and moved to Humboldt, SK. I helped with a youth group there, and had my first opportunity to partake in some mission trips to Vancouver & Mexico. After a year, I began taking pulpit supply at the neighboring towns, as they had no minister. When the youth group winded down, I applied for their vacancy, and much to my surprise I was hired! (I wasn’t a minister yet, so I didn’t think that was possible).
My name is Jason Paul Richards. I was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. My parents are Bruce and Marg, and I have one sister; Tracy. My wife, Young Seo & I, currently reside in Estevan, Saskatchewan where I am the minister at St. Paul’s International Pastoral Charge, including also North Portal, SK and Portal, ND.
I have always been involved in the church, and I have very fond memories growing up at McClure United in Saskatoon. The minister, and my youth pastor were always very supportive, and gave me a wonderful grounding for my life. As I hit my 20s, I began to feel God’s call to ministry. When I say that story, my earlier minister loves to point out that when I was six years old I created a bulletin and played ‘church’ with my neighbour. So maybe the Call has been there for a while, but my dumb self didn’t notice it until my 20s! ☺
I met my minister, told him my thoughts, and he wholeheartedly agreed. I began my discernment process, and enrolled in St. Andrew’s College, Saskatoon. As the first year ended, I went before Conference for my inquirer’s interview. After my studies, they would choose my first church appointment. They informed me that coming from the largest United Church in Saskatchewan, they were going to send me to the smallest, remotest one they could find. Well, that did it. I was terrified, and I left school. I went to try to experience town life, and moved to Humboldt, SK. I helped with a youth group there, and had my first opportunity to partake in some mission trips to Vancouver & Mexico. After a year, I began taking pulpit supply at the neighboring towns, as they had no minister. When the youth group winded down, I applied for their vacancy, and much to my surprise I was hired! (I wasn’t a minister yet, so I didn’t think that was possible).
This picture makes Jason laugh!
I had a year and a half working in Quill Lake / Watson, and absolutely loved it. I was on the Volunteer Fire Department, made lots of friends with teachers in the town, and was just loving life. Now, I was still in school at this time, and they were missing me. They informed me I should probably come back, so I did. I had no sooner walked in the door than the opportunity to study for a semester in Seoul, Korea was put in my lap! I leaped at the chance, and had an amazing semester with students from throughout Asia. I also met Young during this semester abroad. ☺
I returned to Canada after, finished most of my studies, and returned to Korea again; this time for the World Council of Churches in Busan, South Korea. It was absolutely amazing!! I got to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury speak, and a whole slew of others, and participate in some wonderful workshops. With my studies almost done, internship was next up for me. While at WCC, I tried to find a Korean church that might accept me for a year. God willing, I did. I returned to Canada, went on another mission trip to Nicaragua, and prepared for my year long work as a missionary at Kangnam Community Church in western Seoul. I led four bible studies, a mission preparation course, and my main English Children’s worship service. It was very busy, but I would never take it back for anything. I still miss the kids so much. Living in another country was a blessed experience, and I hope to some day go back and continue my ministry in Seoul.
Once the year was up, I came home and settled in Oxbow / Alameda in South eastern Saskatchewan. We passed our time curling (once, I was so bad!) and at trivia, plus anything else we could find. It was Young’s first time to live in Canada, and from Seoul to Oxbow is quite a move. The fact that we loved it so much, were busy, and felt such support, is a testament to life here. I finished my internship, and took my first appointment in Estevan, where we currently reside. Young and I are expecting our first child this January! We love life in southern Saskatchewan, and hope to make it our home for years to come. Thank you for reading.
JR
I returned to Canada after, finished most of my studies, and returned to Korea again; this time for the World Council of Churches in Busan, South Korea. It was absolutely amazing!! I got to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury speak, and a whole slew of others, and participate in some wonderful workshops. With my studies almost done, internship was next up for me. While at WCC, I tried to find a Korean church that might accept me for a year. God willing, I did. I returned to Canada, went on another mission trip to Nicaragua, and prepared for my year long work as a missionary at Kangnam Community Church in western Seoul. I led four bible studies, a mission preparation course, and my main English Children’s worship service. It was very busy, but I would never take it back for anything. I still miss the kids so much. Living in another country was a blessed experience, and I hope to some day go back and continue my ministry in Seoul.
Once the year was up, I came home and settled in Oxbow / Alameda in South eastern Saskatchewan. We passed our time curling (once, I was so bad!) and at trivia, plus anything else we could find. It was Young’s first time to live in Canada, and from Seoul to Oxbow is quite a move. The fact that we loved it so much, were busy, and felt such support, is a testament to life here. I finished my internship, and took my first appointment in Estevan, where we currently reside. Young and I are expecting our first child this January! We love life in southern Saskatchewan, and hope to make it our home for years to come. Thank you for reading.
JR