Currently, Jason is leading services and preaching part time in the Presbyterian Church of Australia, Geelong region.  He is working on his 7th Psalms album which he plans to release mid 2009. Jason is a Diploma graduate of the Reformed Theological College, Geelong.

 

Jason's Biography

Jason started putting music to the psalms back in the early 90’s.  The church he attended, Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia had a tradition of singing unaccompanied psalms in public worship.  This exposure to the psalms motivated him, along with another member at the time, Matthew Jacoby, to try and put music to the psalms straight from the English text, (using mainly the NIV).  They found a third musician, Rod Gear and eventually formed the band Son’s of Korah.

Jason played with S.O.K for a few years then eventually ended up doing a solo album, Songs of Deliverance - 10 psalms set to acoustic guitar based music.  Jason's aim was (and still is) to put appropriate musical arrangements to the biblical text as found in our translations, without letting the music determine the word structure.  Therefore having the words rhyme, and fit into a standard verse/chorus arrangement is not important.  he wanted people to be able to sing, and more importantly, remember the Word of God verse for verse in both whole psalms and portions.  It’s an amazing advantage to your Christian walk when you can have the Word of God stored in your heart and head ready for use in the battle. (see Psalm 119:11).

In 2005 Jason toured the USA with his wife, Jane promoting Songs of Deliverance. The U.S tour went really well.  They ministered in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Denver, Colorado Springs, Phoenix, Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Diego, getting 4 or 5 days to wind down in Southern California before flying back to Australia. 

The Ministry
This ministry is essentially a ministry of the Word of God sung, and the Word of God preached.  At a typical event we will sing through about 10 psalms.  Everyone in the congregation will have their Bibles open and follow along, (or they’ll sing along if they know the tune).  Before each psalm is sung, an explanation is given of a particular point of the psalm, and related to the gospel of Jesus Christ and living the Christian life.  At an appropriate time, a short gospel sermon is preached from a particular psalm.

It is a very simple set up. Either Jason on guitar, or accompanied by his wife Jane on flute.  There is no dimmed lighting or stage effects, and if the congregation wants to show their appreciation, they are encouraged to do so at the end, rather than applauding after every song.  This fosters an atmosphere of reflection and meditation after the Word is sung. 

Is it a youth ministry? Yes.  Is it an adult ministry? Yes.  Is it a middle aged and elderly ministry?  Yes.  Is it a children’s ministry? Yes. God’s word is for the 6 y.o, the 16 y.o and the 96 y.o (see Psalm 148, esp. vs. 11 &12).