Getting To Know Jared Storey

We’re delighted to announce that Jared Storey will be joining Walton Evangelical Church in September 2026 as an Assistant Pastor. Jared joins us with his wife Jess and daughter Elizabeth.

Tell us a little about yourself. Who are you, where are you from, what has your journey been so far, and what do you enjoy doing when you’re not studying, working or serving in church?
Hello everyone, I’m Jared! I’m a husband of five years to Jess, and this year became a proud dad to our first child Elizabeth. We’re from Retford (Nottinghamshire), but growing up I spent many weekends with my grandparents in Leek (Staffordshire). God used my grandparents to introduce me to Christ, and impress on me a deep love for God and for His Word. In my free time I enjoy getting outdoors and going on family walks in the countryside, especially somewhere with a nice view. For the last few years I’ve also had a small allotment, where I’ve enjoyed growing fresh fruit and veg. When the sun isn’t shining, I enjoy reading books, both new and old, that stir and strengthen me in my faith and knowledge of God.

How did God lead you to Walton Church and this role? What was the journey that brought you here, and why did you feel this was where the Lord was calling you?
Alongside the job I’ve had working at a leisure centre, I’ve served as an elder at a church in Worksop over the last few years, and also previously spent some time overseeing the youth work there. Through these opportunities, I’ve felt a growing sense of call and desire to give myself fully to gospel ministry, convinced that this is the work God wants me to devote myself to.

I’ve known about Walton Evangelical Church for some time now through the online services, having sometimes tuned into the livestreams when we’ve been unable to attend our own church. I’ve always been greatly encouraged not only by how vibrant and active WEC is as a community, but also by the great priority given to God’s Word being taught and proclaimed.

Knowing the weighty responsibility of leading and shepherding a church, it’s been my desire to train as an assistant pastor in a place such as WEC, to be shaped and developed by serving under the support of seasoned leaders in a thriving evangelical church. By God’s grace, the opportunity arose to serve as an assistant pastor in training here, and I clearly felt this was where God was leading.

What will your role involve? What are you hoping to be involved in during your time with us, and what can the church family expect to see you doing?
In the first couple of months, I hope to get involved in as much church life and activity as I can. Following this, I want to prayerfully consider where to focus my time in the most effective way to support and serve the needs of the church, and also give myself the right opportunities and experience to develop in my role. Throughout my role I’ll be working closely with Andy and the other elders to support the ministry, and glean from their mentorship. My time will often be spent preparing sermons and teaching, providing pastoral care and visitations, supporting home groups and various mid-week meetings, and getting involved in outreach opportunities. I am also currently one year into a four-year theological training course with the Evangelical Movement of Wales, which seeks to train and equip men for pastoral ministry. Therefore, some of my time each week will be spent studying and writing essays to help me grow in my ministry.

What are you most looking forward to learning or growing in? Are there particular areas of ministry, leadership or personal discipleship that you’re excited to develop?
I believe the primary way God grows and establishes His church is through His Word, as it is preached and made known. Therefore, one of the areas I am particularly eager to grow and develop is in preaching, knowing this will be an essential part of my ministry in the years ahead. I am also aware that the role of a pastor is not simply to teach but to care for the flock. As such, I am looking forward to developing in the area of pastoral care, loving and supporting people spiritually through the highs and lows, and spurring them on to grow in Christ-likeness.

Looking ahead, where do you sense God may be leading you? You may not know the full picture yet, but what hopes or aspirations do you have for the future, and how do you see this role helping prepare you?
I personally feel there is no greater privilege I could have than the work of making “God’s word fully known” and seeing believers presented “mature in Christ” (Col. 1:24-29) through serving as a pastor. I don’t know the full picture by any means, but I feel a real burden for declining and struggling churches, and also for those communities that don’t yet have a faithful gospel church nearby. However, I remain open to wherever God may place me in the future. I feel that through serving as assistant pastor here at WEC, I will have the opportunity to grow and develop the skills and experience needed to prepare me well for future ministry.

How can we pray for you? As you begin this new chapter, what are one or two specific ways the church family can support you in prayer?
As I step into this role, I would appreciate it if the church family could pray that God gives me the wisdom and discipline needed to manage my time well between various ministry responsibilities, being a new dad, and also allowing time to rest. I also recognise that without God’s help, I can do nothing. So I would really appreciate prayer that God would give me with the strength, wisdom and ability I need each day to be faithful in the work He has for me here.