Jason Raitz
- Religion/Spirituality
- Youth
Jason Raitz is a storyteller and he loves to encourage students. He has been speaking to students since 1995 and after more than a decade in youth ministry, he has the ability to speak “with students” and not “at them.” His hilarious life stories draw students in and he then shares the transforming truth of God’s word. Whether he is teaching jr. high, high school students, adults or if he is training youth pastors or volunteers, his passion is to inspire people to love God passionately and to love others selflessly. He is also a published author and loves to create experiential curriculum and small group questions for students and adults.
Jason is currently the Community Life Pastor at Mt. Pleasant Community Church in Mt. Pleasant, MI. He oversees the small group strategy and connection process for children, students and adults. His goal is to see 100% of his church actively involved and spiritually growing in the community of a small group. Before coming to Mt. Pleasant, Jason was the Group Life Director for Elevate, the Jr. ministry at Willow Creek Church in South Barrington, IL. He was responsible for leading a team of pastors that made sure Willow’s 1500 Jr. High students were connected in a small group to each other, to an adult and to Jesus.
He’s been speaking with students for over 15 years and has has taught at camps, conferences, schools, and churches all over the country. For the past three years he had an opportunity to be a speaker on the Jr. High Believe tour for Christ in Youth.
In his free time he loves to talk about teaching & speaking and the greatest hitter of all time…Ted Williams. Jason is also the president of Hootie and the Blowfish’s fan club. He and his wife Tracie have been married since 1997 and have four amazingly active and energy filled kids (Bekah, Bobby, Zach, & Madie).
What Others Are Saying:
“Jason Raitz is one of my first recommendations these days when I’m asked for a youth speaker. He’s hilarious and real, but passionate about helping teenagers connect to the Real God who loves them deeply. I couldn’t recommend him more highly”. – Mark Oestreicher, El Cajon, CA
“Jason Raitz is a fantastic communicator! Your students will absolutely love him. But what I like best about Jason is who he is “off the stage”…he’s the real deal who truly loves Jesus and loves students. Please consider Jason for your next speaking need; I think you’ll be glad you did.” – Kurt Johnston, Junior High Pastor, Saddleback Church
“A gifted communicator and his passion for God, students and leaders are evident in his life and his speaking! He is a good friend on an amazing journey with Christ!” – Johnny Scott, Director, Jr. High Believe Tour, Christ in Youth, Joplin, MO
“Jason is a gifted communicator that will make you laugh, cry and help you discover the wonder of GOD in the same sitting” – Tom Elmore, Student Ministry Pastor, LakeWood Church, Houston, TX
“Our world is full of non-engaging speakers…you know the type, they have lots of content…but the way they deliver it leaves the audience checking their seats for a pillow or a piece of rope. The greatest thing about Jason’s talks is that they actually engage the audience; from a five year old boy to a senior adult, he works hard to deliver the message in a way the audience can understand and relate to.” – Kurt Brandemihl, Middle School Director, Sunset Presbyterian Church, Portland, OR
“At the beginning of retreats, there’s always a trust gap between students the speaker. There are few like Jason who can bridge that gap so quickly and effectively. After engaging their hearts and winning over their trust, he opens up Scripture to them in amazing fashion-authentically, responsibly, relevantly and with a truck load of humor. He’s a gold mine for junior and senior highers.” – Marc R. Santom, EPC Student Ministries,Office of the General Assembly,Evangelical Presbyterian Church
