In Bosnia and Herzegovina

For 22 years, Jason has led trips to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) for over 200 teens and adults from around the US  — with over half of them going back more than once. Under Jason's leadership these teams of volunteers have have hosted 180+ Friendship Camps and Camp New Hope programs for 30,000 children, teens and teachers across BiH.  

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He has coordinated the trip planning and preparations, managed the trip budgets, and trained and equipped the team members and leadership.  He managed the work with the in-country coordinators who recruited and trained the trip interpreters and organized all of the in-country preparations.

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In Croatia

In 1994, 1995, and 1996 Jason visited Croatia during the war where he volunteered for a refugee relief organization called LIFE Center. From the end of the war through 2002 Jason organized and led annual cross-generational teams of volunteers to Croatia in the immediate aftermath of the war.  These teams did repair and renovation work at a refugee center and led programs for children in churches and communities around the country.

 

In the USA

In addition to his work in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, Jason has been a professional youth worker since 1988.  Over the years he has: 

• Coordinated and led 100+ youth and young adult events, retreats, and service trips for 10,000+ participants in North Carolina, New York, Virginia, Washington DC, and New Jersey.

• Coordinated, trained, and led cross-generational teams who led programs relating to peace-making and racial reconciliation for 12,000+ participants at 6 ELCA National Youth Gatherings. 

• Served on the Bishop’s Staff of the New Jersey Synod from 1999-2019, with responsibilities for youth and young adult programs, leadership development and faith formation for 160+ congregations.

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Jason and his wife Krista live in New Jersey with their three children, two cats, and one dog.