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The First United Presbyterian Church of Collinsville has a new minister
Jeff Young, new minister at First United Presbyterian Church of Collinsville
Jeff Young was born into the Presbyterian Church outside of Buffalo, N.Y. He was raised and worshiped in the denomination his entire life.
Jeff grew up in the Kansas suburbs of Kansas City. He attended the University of Kansas, where he participated in many music ensembles, including the marching band and basketball band, playing trombone and tuba.
While Jeff began his education in architecture, he graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology in 2001. It was during his time at Kansas that Jeff met his wife, Ashley, through their experiences in music.
Much like the sense of call to ministry, and a sense of call to serve with a congregation, they have both felt God’s hand in their relationship. Jeff and Ashley were married in 2001 and have enjoyed their journey together through wonderful times, while weathering the difficult times.
The couple has been blessed to live in Kansas (several times), Virginia and, recently, in Dubuque, Iowa. Jeff spent most of his post-college career in the concert production industry, starting in theater and, eventually, working for a traveling concert service. Jeff has also spent time in banking and working as a contractor for the federal government.
Jeff is the son of a Presbyterian pastor, who is now honorably retired. Having been raised in the church and living with a pastor, Jeff has experienced much of church life. It did take his moving on from the churches that his father served to begin to identify his own personal call to ministry.
It was not until 2006, when Jeff moved to Ottawa, Kan., that he really found a solid church home. At Westminster, he was able to slowly work his way into a comfortable relationship with the congregation and find his own ways of participating in worship, education, and mission. After a disastrous split, Jeff was ordained as a ruling elder, and served on session, the personnel committee, the worship committee and formed the technology committee.
In 2008, during the financial crisis, both Jeff and his wife lost their jobs. While they were able to find temporary work, they were uncertain of their future and spent much time in prayer. It was during this time that Jeff was finally quiet enough to hear God’s calling. He and Ashley and moved to Dubuque, IA in 2009 to attend the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.
During Jeff’s work towards his master’s of divinity, Ashley was able to finish her Bachelor’s degree in healthcare leadership. Jeff greatly enjoyed his time at UDTS and served on student council, the worship and spiritual life committee, as well as housing, student life, social life and recreation and intramurals. For the past year and a half, Jeff has been teaching religion and writing courses at the University of Dubuque.
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