Hello River Valley! My name is Jason Wyatt and I am the new Student Pastor. I get the privilege to share a little about the Wyatt family journey with you, to start 2023. My wife and I just moved to Bastrop in December, and already we have had Buc-ee’s twice for dinner. By the time you read this, we may have already doubled that. More than the great BBQ, we feel so blessed and encouraged by you all and are looking forward to doing life with you all.

My wife “Mandi” and I have been married for 22 years now and have a 19-year-old daughter that is currently attending her first year of college at SAGU in Waxahachie. We have been privileged to partake in ministry…anything related to kids to young adults for the past 23 years. My heart is for young people; having the desire to see them in their youth, secure their eternity, and learn to walk out their faith with Jesus.  

This 23-year ministry journey started in our hometown in Wyoming, leading youth through an accountability group that we started. Early in our marriage we moved to Salt Lake City, Utah to go on staff at a church, for the first time, working in the children’s ministry. Our next transition was to Los Angeles where we would spend a little over 12 years. While in Los Angeles, I had the privilege to help lead a youth group, help build a children’s ministry, and would end up on staff at a church that had a large sports ministry. From Los Angeles, God called us to Santa Barbara, CA where we would be for almost 7 years. In Santa Barbara, I was privileged to work with young people as a youth pastor, and as coach for boys High School basketball.

Something truly amazing is, about 8 years ago the Lord had put the Austin area on my heart. We had never even been to Texas at that point and didn’t know if/when He would bring us here. Fast forward to now, we are so excited to find ourselves here with you! There is something about God’s timing and there is nothing better than to be where God has called you. Again, we are so looking forward to getting to do life with you all and are looking forward to what the Lord will do in 2023 at River Valley.