Rev. Jonathan Barker: God is Near the Broken-Hearted

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18

Rev. Jonathan Barker has become known around southeast Wisconsin as a pastor with a heart for justice and caring for God's beloved creation. He regularly fasts for climate justice, he has played a large part in advocating for justice for Jacob Blake in Kenosha, WI, and, as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Kenosha, WI he plays a large part in the organization, Grace Welcome Center that serves clients deeply impacted by poverty.

In this conversation, Rev. Jonathan talks about why God has placed this call on his heart, to love and serve his neighbors. He relies heavily on his life verse, Psalm 34:18 which tells us where God is: near the brokenhearted. If that is where God is, that is where Rev. Jonathan wants to be.

Learn more about Grace Welcome Center or buy Rev. Jonathan's book, Jesus Would Demand A Green New Deal.

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Rev. Jonathan Barker serves as the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin  He is the author of, Jesus Would Demand a Green New Deal: The Story of Why One Christians Pastor Went On a 12 Day Fast For a Green New Deal, and this past spring led and completed a 22-day fast with the Wisconsin 7 for climate justice in the Wisconsin state budget.  While serving at Grace, Rev. Barker co-founded the Grace Welcome Center, which is a community meal program and food pantry that now serves up to 190 families a week and has organized with Jacob Blake's family.