By Richard Yeakley
A Longview pastor said Tuesday that he will leave his pulpit to begin a ministry for “underprivileged children in our city.”
Jonathan Jehorek, pastor of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Longview, is planning to start a new nonprofit ministry tentatively called Starting Strength and to work with Paula Martin Jones Charities. His last Sunday as pastor will be March 2.
“In this particular ministry, we will use strength and condition to encourage strong minds, strong bodies, and strong hearts,” Jehorek said in an emailed message concerning his resignation.
“We understand the cultural significance of sport, and see the grip of sport as it reaches into ‘every nook and cranny of their life.’ We will leverage the kids’ love of sport as a vehicle that contributes to the healthy development of boys and girls.”
Jehorek has served as a pastor in East Texas for 17 years, first with the First Presbyterian Church of Longview, and then leading EPC Longview after about more than 275 members voted to split from the downtown church in May 2012. In September, EPC Longview merged with Holy Trinity Community Church and joined it at its campus at 3800 Judson Road.
Throughout his years of ministry, Jehorek said he has felt a “growing ache” to help children throughout the community.