Jay Close

Pastoral Care Minister

502.212.5209

jay.close@necchurch.org

What or who inspires you? Good preaching, beauty in nature, creative ideas to meet people’s needs

Your biggest indulgence? I love cookies, and cake, and pie (you can have the candy)

What do you think makes a good leader, someone that you’ll follow? someone who inspires but teaches practical application

What has God been teaching you lately? Take better care of myself

If you could ask God one question, what would it be? Why mosquitos?

What is your nickname, and how did you earn it? Jay (real name is James) – my Mom didn’t want people to call me “junior”

What are two things always in your fridge? Eggs, milk, juice, whipped cream, ice cream, thousand island dressing, mustard, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, dill pickle relish…

In a few short lines, here is my faith story… Raised in church, parents very active, met future wife in church, called to ministry at 15, God took us to Arkansas and brought us home

What is your favorite…

·    Bible verse? 1 John 1:9

·    Book (besides the Bible)? Ragamuffin Gospel

·    Vacation?  Mountains

·    Types of music? Soft rock, Gabe Close songs

·    Restaurant? Cracker Barrel

Describe your job at Northeast, and why you love what you do. I lead Prayer and Care Ministries. I visit and counsel folks and lead volunteers to visit and counsel folks too. I am passionate about helping people and inspiring people to pray.

How long have you been working at Northeast? I started the first workday of 2008.

What’s one goal you have for the next year? Begin broadening the vision for Care Ministries to include benevolence, marriage, hospitals, nursing homes and grief.

Name 3 things on your ‘bucket’ list. Travel – to Hawaii, San Francisco, London, wherever else time and money permit

Wife of almost 35 years, Darlene (we are empty nesters), so Gabe, sister Sherry, mother Norma…

Proudest moment? big stuff Gabe has done, graduations from college & grad school, recorded CD