Biography of Associate Minister Jessica Rooks

Rev. Jessica (Clark) Rooks is an Arvada native, attending Thompson Elementary, North Arvada Junior High, and Arvada High School. She attended Westminster UMC, was active in the Youth Group, the Youth Choir, and served in various leadership positions as a child and youth. Jessica joined Arvada UMC in her second year at Western State College, after deciding that ministry was to be her vocation.

“I joined Arvada UMC because I wanted to begin the ordination process in a liberal and progressive church where I would be challenged to think and grow. Rev. Charles Schuster offered to mentor me through the process, and created many learning opportunities that have become foundational in my ministry.”

After graduating from college with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics, Jessica was hired as the Interim Youth Director at AUMC for the summer of 1999. She started seminary at Iliff School of Theology that fall and began participating in worship leadership, committee leadership, and volunteered as a Youth Sponsor. Jessica graduated from Iliff with a Masters of Divinity degree in June of 2002.

In 2001 Jessica was hired as the Associate Pastor with an emphasis on Youth Ministry at Arvada UMC. A couple of years later the Children’s Program was included in her ministry responsibilities. This past July Jessica’s duties changed. She is no longer the Youth and Children’s Minister, and is now focusing on Family Ministries and Growing the Church. Jessica is also taking a more active role in pastoral care, preaching, teaching and church leadership.

Jessica continues to live in Arvada with her husband James, who she met in Youth Group at Westminster UMC. Jessica and James have two daughters, Morgan age 3, and Kaylee born in April of this year.


 

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