New Identity Magazine

God in focus. World in scope.

  • About
  • Grow
    • Spotlight: In Perspective
    • Growth & Maturity
    • Foundation
    • Practical Application
    • Jargon
  • Connect
    • Community
    • Discovering God
    • God Talk
    • Life Together
  • Live
    • Give Back
    • People
    • Culture & Creativity
    • Careers & Callings
  • Back Issues
  • Write
    • Submit an Article
    • Writer’s Guidelines
    • House Style Guide
    • Content Submissions Agreement
    • Jargon Substitutions
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Contact

INTERVIEW: JASON HENRY

By Jena Campion Leave a Comment

We sat down with Jason Henry to talk about how he found faith in Christ, his job and career, and hobbies.

New Identity: Where are you from?

Jason Henry: Los Angeles, California.

NI: What is your occupation?

JH: Community Service Officer, a.k.a. security guard.

NI: What does your average day look like?

JH: My average day consists of: waking up thanking God for another day; checking e-mails while eating breakfast; traveling forty miles to go to school; leaving school and going to work; and leaving work and going home to prepare to do it all over again the next day. My average off-day consists of: waking up and thanking God for another day; relaxing; studying; and spending time with my wife.

NI: What are your hobbies?

JH: I love reading books, mainly about theology; making Christian hip hop music; singing, and rapping.

NI: Where and for what are you going to school?

JH: I am getting a Bachelor’s degree in Theology at Life Pacific College.

NI: How did you become a Christian?

JH: I grew up in a Christian church with my mom forcing me to go to church every Sunday until I was eighteen years old. It was not optional. Although I never accepted God as my Lord and Savior, I grew up in an African-American Pentecostal church and even sang in youth choir. Still not accepting Jesus, I rebelled against the beliefs I was taught and everything they stood for. But, on September 2, 2002, I finally accepted Jesus and began to walk with Him as one of His disciples.

NI: What do you feel are your giftings or calling?

JH: In 2005, God confirmed to me, in His own special way, a call to be a pastor. I know I am called to pastor. At my former church, I took active steps to become a licensed pastor and even began to preach. I switched churches and am now an intern pastor, really learning how to pastor, and am a small group leader.

NI: What is your favorite scripture or person in the Bible, and why?

JH: James 1:22 – “Be doers of the word, not just hearers.” You have to become authentic in the faith, the opposite of hypocritical. I love it because you are walking in complete authenticity. How you walk matches how you talk.

NI: What aspects do you like or dislike about Christianity in general?

JH: I like everything surrounding the Christian faith itself, like Scripture and theology. But I don’t like how people choose to apply and interpret the scriptures and truth—people talking the talk but not walking the walk. When I try to bring people to Christ in my context—urban South Central, Los Angeles—people have a misconception of preachers. They see preachers as just stealing the people’s money and doing with it what they want. They don’t come to church because they think the preachers are stealing all the offering money. They categorize that as Christianity, period. But that’s wrong. That is what we imperfect humans do, not what the Bible teaches.

NI: Why do you think some non-Christians are fearful of becoming Christian, and what are some obstacles they face?

JH: Non-Christians may not be hearing from Christians about God’s grace. When non-Christians are not exposed to Christians’ interior lives, they are only exposed to misrepresented Christian teachings in the media. There is a lack of true Christian teaching and exposure to the world, and a proper understanding of the grace of God. They also might see Christianity as having so many rules, and if you don’t live up to those rules, you are judged. But God is the only judge, not men.

NI: What might you share with a new believer to take heed or offer some encouraging words to?

JH: I remember my youth pastor said, “There is more to it than what you are experiencing now.” That wisdom caused a deep drive to learn more about faith and have deeper knowledge. It led to deeper depths beyond what I could have imagined. I would also recommend the message of Matthew 7:24-25—build your house on rock, not sand. Believe everything for yourself, not just because someone else told you to. Everything you believe is going to be tested. But if you believe it for yourself, you will not be moved.

NI: What do you find is the hardest thing in your faith to talk about, share or bring up?

JH: The hardest thing to talk about would be passing up job opportunities that do not line up with my vision. People often think that when a job offer comes along that offers more money that you must take it immediately, even though it will interfere with your God-given plans.

NI: Any final thoughts?

JH: Christianity is not religion, but it is a kingdom, a spiritual kingdom of light. If you dig deep enough, you will find the truth.

Share with friendsShare on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on Reddit
Reddit
Email to someone
email

Filed Under: Live, People Tagged With: Issue 2

Related Posts

  • GARDENING WITH GODGARDENING WITH GOD
  • INSIGHTS FROM A CHRISTIAN VEGETARIANINSIGHTS FROM A CHRISTIAN VEGETARIAN
  • WHAT IS THE GAZA STRIP?WHAT IS THE GAZA STRIP?
  • THE LIGHT OF ETHIOPIATHE LIGHT OF ETHIOPIA
  • CONNECTING WITH A CLICKCONNECTING WITH A CLICK
  • POEM: RED ROOTSPOEM: RED ROOTS

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Current Issue

Current Issue

Read Now

newidentitymag

New Identity | Exploring Faith
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment! ✨
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment! ✨
How should we be using our money? - We're looking How should we be using our money? - We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment!
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment!
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on the topic of praying continually and what that can look like in our fast-paced society, please leave us a comment! 😊
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment! ✨
Happy Spring! Enjoy the new issue! #linkinbio Happy Spring! Enjoy the new issue! #linkinbio
Our striving to be like Jesus or do his work on ou Our striving to be like Jesus or do his work on our own is in vain. We can never hope to achieve the same level that Jesus was on while we are still here on Earth. We’re like little kids, struggling just to walk. But that’s why Jesus gave us an example of redeemed followers in the form of the Apostles, who were his close group of students here on Earth. He chose a group of broken, sinful men, and ultimately shaped them into the group responsible for continuing his ministry here on Earth. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Tim VanDeWalker in "Running By Example" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's th "Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." –Desmond Tutu
The Bible tells us to live in the world, but not t The Bible tells us to live in the world, but not to become like it. The New Living Translation puts it this way, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Rom. 12:2a). Some have interpreted this as an instruction to reject anything that isn’t explicitly Christian. But I don’t think that’s what this verse is getting at. I think it means much more.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Lindsey Beharry in "Choosing Wisely" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
If you desire to serve, seek to form groups withou If you desire to serve, seek to form groups without age distinction. Maybe you want to form a group in your church. Avoid just inviting members from your age group. Seek out people older and younger than you to invite to meet together. Find that person who sits alone and talk to her or him. Instead of a focus on building groups that have the same characteristics to “relate” with one another, you center your discussion in the work of Christ. He will bring the group together. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Russell Almand in "Community and Age Diversity" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"If we put our faith in temporal things, they will "If we put our faith in temporal things, they will inevitably let us down. They were never meant to be enough for us. Not alone. When Barnum finally does hit bottom, he recognizes that his heart has been led astray, fooled into thinking that fame or fortune could satisfy him."⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @slimkeman in "The Greatest Showman" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"Porn. We are only now beginning to realize the ex "Porn. We are only now beginning to realize the extent of its effects on the brain, relationships, and society at a time when sexually explicit content is just a click away. Christians have recognized pornography’s negative impact for decades, yet it is still often considered a “male” problem within the Church. This can leave women who struggle with porn addiction feeling isolated and alone. The organization SheRecovery (formerly Dirty Girls Ministries) aims to change that and has become a resource for women with porn addiction. You can read more about their ministry at the link in our bio. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Lisa Gagnon in "Dirty Girls Ministries" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"The presence of my sin reminds me of my great nee "The presence of my sin reminds me of my great need for grace, and good works are the outpouring of a grateful heart; being a good child is not a means of earning the favor of God."⁠
⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Sally Blotzer in "Forgiving Failure" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"As Christians, we identify ourselves not only by "As Christians, we identify ourselves not only by how we handle our daily lives, much like those around us, but also by an added component: our faith. How we pray and worship and spend time with our fellow followers provides additional meaning to our lives."⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Matthew Hamilton in "Does Your Form Determine Your Function?" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by Lum3n from Pexels⁠
Often I picture Jesus telling us to love others an Often I picture Jesus telling us to love others and not to judge. I forget that when he said, “Come follow me,” he wasn’t just inviting us to a strict set of rules but to a real and exciting life whether you turn out to be a pastor, a doctor, designer or simply “Dad.” Sometimes I forget one of his main messages was that he came to give us a better life than we could ever dream of—life to the fullest. Jesus wasn’t locking us down to a vocation or job title. It’s as if he was saying, “Real, vibrant life is available to you now. Following me, loving me and living like me is your real calling…the rest is just there to aid you in following, loving and living.”⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Wendy Van Eyck in "Living For A Purpose" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
Like Morpheus, I want to “show you how deep the Like Morpheus, I want to “show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.” There is yet another parallel between the Christian story and The Matrix, simultaneously the most foundational and the most captivating. It’s that something which is missing, something which is not quite right with the world. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but you know that it’s there. At the outset of the first film, Neo is searching for it. Trinity asserts that “it’s the question that drives us.” Morpheus claims that “you can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes.” The question is: What if I’ve only ever scratched the surface of all that life has to offer? What if there is a deeper, truer current of reality, ever-present behind all of my life’s experiences, to which I might awaken at any moment?⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @slimkeman in "Tumbling Down The Rabbit Hole" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"I’ve always been intrigued by Augustine because "I’ve always been intrigued by Augustine because we all struggle with temptations to sin. And we all struggle to live in a way that honors God. Like Augustine we all feel the tug of our past sins that say, 'Don’t you want to enjoy us?' And Augustine’s story relates to Galatians 5:16-26 where Paul tells us about how the Christian life is like a walk. In a way, walking is a metaphor for the Christian life." ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @the_christopherscott in "In Step With the Spirit" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"The Holy Spirit empowers us for Christ-like livin "The Holy Spirit empowers us for Christ-like living, and for serving others." Where in your life or in what ways has the Spirit enabled you this week? We'd love to hear, tell us in the comments below!⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @the_christopherscott  in "In Step With the Spirit" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
Happy Christmas and Happy Reading! The new issue i Happy Christmas and Happy Reading! The new issue is here! Available our website and print-on-demand. Linked in our bio! Enjoy!🎄📖
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Subscribe

More Articles

SIN

I don’t know about you but all the English grammar that I learned in elementary school has leaked out of my brain. The English language is so complex. Some words in … [Read More...]

CLOTHED IN CULTURE OR CHARACTER?

An old-fashioned word for a seemingly old-fashioned virtue, the word “modesty” doesn’t have much caché in American culture. Even in religious or Christian circles, … [Read More...]

GOSPEL FOR ASIA

He was only a teenager when he answered God’s calling. Feeling an overwhelming, unconditional love for the physically and spiritually impoverished population of … [Read More...]

Copyright © 2022 New Identity Magazine. All Rights Reserved · Log in