Monday, March 14, 2022

Rev. Jon Cavanagh

Rev. Jon Cavanagh, Campus Pastor at Taylor University since 2015, is a 1998 Taylor University alumnus.  He has served at Taylor since 2007, filling roles that have included Director of University Apartments/Coordinator of Off Campus Community, Co-Chair of Residence Life Programming, Hall Director at Wengatz Hall, Head Men’s Golf Coach, and committee assignments including Chair and member of the Community Life Committee, Lighthouse and J-term Capstone Co-Leader, and the leadership of various devotional groups.

In addition to his Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education from Taylor, Cavanagh holds a Master of Divinity from Winebrenner Theological Seminary, Findlay, Ohio (2008). He is an ordained minister in the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (N.A.C.C.C.).

Prior to returning to Taylor, Cavanagh served as Associate Pastor for Plain Congregational Church in Bowling Green, Ohio, and as resident director at Asbury University in Wilmore, Ky., and Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. He also filled the role of Church Planter for Mercy and Grace Ministries in Sheridan, Wyo., from 1999 to 2000.

Jon and his wife Kara are the parents of 2 daughters, Phoebe and Hattie.

Reflection

A letter to the Weary…
I wish I knew how long this season was going to last and I could tell you.  I don’t know.  This is really difficult and you’re right to feel stressed and overwhelmed.  This is a really challenging situation.  I wish I knew the outcome a few months or a few years down the road.  I don’t. It’s going to take some time to walk through this and there isn’t a way around it, it’ll have to be through.  Here is what I can remind you though…even though you might feel lonely, you are not alone and even though you might feel unlovable you are loved.  See feelings need to be a part of the equation, but they aren’t the whole thing.  Sometimes we need people to remind us of what’s true so we can embrace that and drag our feelings along.  Sometimes we need people to remind us we’re not alone and we are loved.  That’s why I’m here with you.
 
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”