Allen Life's Lead Pastor, Jason Watts was born and raised in the Chicagoland area and has served in numerous capacities for the Ministry.
Having served in the United States Marine Corps during Desert Storm (1990-91) he felt a change of life direction and entered seminary upon arriving home. Earning a Bachelor or Arts from Indiana Bible College, he has served as Minister of Outreach, Student Pastor, and Pastor. He has been blessed to take part in missions trips to Europe, Africa, and the Dominican Republic. His last effort was planting a church in the mountains of Western North Carolina, where he remained for 11 years. Now, another minister has taken on that work with an established congregation and a facility that was built and left debt free!
Pastor Jason has been married to his wonderful native Texan wife, Karisha, for over 20 years and has three beautiful and talented children: Kaimberlyn, Tavenor, and Fennley. Karisha has been around ministry all her life, having parents and both sets of grandparents serving as well. She also is a graduate of Indiana Bible College and has served as Worship Leader and Kids Ministry Director. She is now able to perform her passion...people, as the Guest Relations Director. You will see her as you walk in the doors of AL Chapel!
In 2010 Pastor Jason suffered a tragic lawn mowing accident that left him with partial use of his right (dominant) hand. This became a springboard to accomplish new tasks and he determined to be a better person after the accident. He has recently completed his Master of Arts from Liberty University in Human Services: Marriage and Family, having graduated with High Distinction. Pastor Jason is now a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor and offers premarital / marital counseling, trauma / grief, family, and other facets of the helping profession. For more information regarding this service, please visit the counseling page on this site.
For fun and leisure, Pastor Jason enjoys traveling, running and biking, music, reading, and family time!