7: Brad Jersak

In June I sat down with Bradley Jersak at his home in Abbottsford British Columbia. He is a teacher and preacher who’s formation was in the evangelical church, Baptist and Mennonite with a little of the charismatic movement along the way. He also studied at Briercrest College and Seminary in Saskatchewan, Trinity Western University in Langley and, most recently, received his Ph.D in theology from Bangor University in Wales. We have known each other for a number of years having met at All Saints of North America Monastery outside of Mission British Columbia when he was taking his initial steps exploring Patristic theology and growing into the Orthodox Church. Our conversation ranges from his early formation and the gifts of the evangelical church that have shaped him: a love of the scriptures and the life of prayer and his early personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We talk about his Pauline like ministry that, largely, continues with evangelical seekers and his deepening understanding of the ancient church’s teaching about the spiritual life, about the love and mercy of God vividly present in the Christ of the Gospels. For a number of years he pastored Fresh Wind Christian Fellowship, a church in service to people with disabilities, children, “prodigals”, and the poor. I admired this work from first hearing about it. Bradley, or Irenaeus as I call him, is an author and teacher and is a Reader and the monastery preacher at All Saints of North America Orthodox Monastery. He teaches Patristics and New Testament at Westminster Theological Centre in the United Kingdom and at Saint Stephen’s University in New Brunswick. You can visit Brad's website at https://bradjersak.com I welcome your thoughts on our conversation and may be reached at www.davidgoa.ca/contact.