Evangelist

JP family

Jovan Payes is a native of San Francisco, California. Not always interested in biblical faith, Jovan came to Christ as a young man after dropping out of high school, lost in the drug culture of "the City", and roaming the streets as a gang member. He doesn't pretend to be the worst story ever told, but simply an example that no matter where you are from, no matter what you have done, no matter who you are there is a place for you in the kingdom of God.

Jovan received his first biblical training at the Civic Center church of Christ in downtown San Francisco (now the Oceanview church of Christ, Pacifica, California), then at the Golden Gate Bible Institute hosted by the Airport church of Christ in South San Francisco. He holds a degree in Bible (with an emphasis in New Testament Greek) from Freed-Hardeman University, and an M.A. in Christian Apologetics from the Talbot School of Theology, Biola University.

Currently, Jovan serves in Bakersfield, California, as an evangelist for the Highland church of Christ where he teaches and heralds the loving gospel of Jesus. He also serves as one of the congregation's elders. Jovan has a passion for practical ministry, spiritual formation, Christian apologetics, and biblical studies.

Most importantly Jovan is a husband of 22 years and a father of 3 children of inestimable value.