Announcing A New Pastor

Beginning on July 7, 2024, Arapaho United Methodist Church is excited to announce that our new senior pastor will be Rev. Jonathan Perry. Pastor Jonathan along with his wife Lindsey and two children, will be joining AUMC from First United Methodist of Denton. Pastor Jonathan has been serving as their Executive Pastor of Strategic Leadership as well as Pastor of Open Worship. Additionally, Pastor Jonathan's work has centered and continues to center on social justice, leading interfaith partnerships, racial justice initiatives, as well as supporting immigrants and asylum seekers.

Rev. Jonathan Perry, an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, has been appointed as Senior Pastor of Arapaho United Methodist Church. Jonathan and his family come to our church from First United Methodist Church of Denton, TX, where he served as Executive Pastor of Strategic Leadership and Pastor of Open Worship. His ministry has been marked by a dedication to creativity, collaboration, and inclusivity, fostering vibrant faith communities where all are welcome and find belonging and sacred purpose.

Jonathan and his wife, Dr. Lindsey Perry, have been married for 18 years and have two children: Hudson, age 10, and Grace, age 7, as well as a cute pup named Bella, and an 18-year old cat with seniority named Kitty. Lindsey works for Compassion International, a faith-based international development agency that serves children in extreme poverty in 26 countries around the world. Prior to coming to Arapaho, Jonathan served at FUMC Denton beginning in 2016, when he was first appointed as Associate Pastor to establish Open Worship, an inclusive worship community dedicated to embracing diversity and providing a safe space for all, particularly the LGBTQ+ community and others whose faith journeys left them searching for a home.

In 2021, Jonathan was named Executive Pastor of FUMC Denton while continuing to serve as pastor of Open Worship. In this dual role, he led the staff and spearheaded strategic initiatives with laity, including a campus master plan, financial sustainability pathways, and affordable housing initiatives, as well as missional work in areas like racial reconciliation and care for immigrants and asylum seekers at the Border and in the DFW area.

Jonathan's passion for serving both in the Methodist tradition and with those from other backgrounds deconstructing and reconstructing faith is shaped by his own journey. Jonathan grew up in Panama City, Florida, as the son of a pastor in the Baptist tradition. After much seeking, it was in the community and theology of the United Methodist Church that he found a spiritual home and a renewed sense of purpose.

Jonathan, Lindsey, and their family are excited to embark on the next chapter of their ministry at Arapaho UMC. With a focus on building relationships, empowering the church, and serving others. They look forward to contributing to the vibrant community and amazing work taking place at Arapaho UMC as it continues to be a creative, constructive, forward-leaning Christian community, committed to becoming more like Jesus Christ.