Assimilations / Men’s Ministry Pastor
Jän was born in Reno, Nevada, but made his way to Fresno by way of Portland when he was in elementary school. After he graduated from Fresno State with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Art, Jän intended to teach at the secondary level but took a chance with a few friends to launch Valley Public Radio, KVPR-FM 89, an NPR affiliate station.
He worked as KVPR’s first general manager until he was recruited by Pastor Bufe Karraker of Northwest Church to serve as its business administrator. It wasn’t long before he was engaged in direct ministry and was led to the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, now seminary at Fresno Pacific University, graduating with a master’s degree in theology. Jän would eventually become the church planter for New Covenant Community Church in Fresno, under the direction of the Baptist General Conference.
Jän also has worked with the BGC in its innovative and highly effective approach to church planting in the United States and Europe. Jän retired in 2015.
Jän has been married to Virginia for more than 45 years, and together they have a daughter, Bethany, and three terrific granddaughters.