My Interview with Jon Jorgenson, Using his gift for God's word to reach today's younger generation

Authors Note: I chose to reach out to Jon not because he and I share the same passion for poetry, or because we both have a strong sense of passion, love, and faith in God. But because he uses his gifts to reach out to today's younger generation and gets them to think/talk about the challenges and pressures their facing growing up without fear or judgment put upon them. Everything from relationships, to career choices, and body image. ECT. I hope the readers find it not only enjoyable but helpful. And Jon personally wishes that you (the readers) of the blog come away from not only feeling blessed but being blessed in the days that follow. Writer/Founder, Jessica  Jon is Taking his love for the spoken word and preaching God’s word, and turning it, into a message of relevance and hope for today’s younger generation. "Our God is in the business of bringing something out of nothing.” Jon Jorgensen. Jon Jorgenson is a former Broadway actor turned author/poet/speaker. A Chicago native. Jon has over been viewed on youtube by over 15 million people. Jon has partnered with several organizations including, Awana International, Moody Bible Institute, the Willow Creek Association, and hundreds of other churches, colleges, and conferences all over the globe. The very first video I ever saw of Jon’s was: Who You Are: A Message To All Woman. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWi5iXnguTU in which he was instantly a youtube sensation. Bringing in a total of more than 5 million views. He began his youtube channel on February 24, 2013. His very first video post was on July 18, 2013. He recently began a free podcast called, The Joncast. It's free to download via, the iTunes Store. He is also an author of two books called "Created To Create" and “Authentic Love.” Which was inspired by the children he counseled while working as a camp counselor throughout his high school and college years. One of his former campers, Ryan Drendel was inspired to write and perform a song with the same title as Jon’s book. (The production for the video was also completed by former campers of Jon’s. As well as the dancers shown in the video.) Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9iNf7zsdyU You can also connect with Jon on social media. Official website: http://www.jonjorgensonblog.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3sezeaHPsJW9-TRGnQXlRg Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonjorgenson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonjorgenson/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonjorgensonfanpage/ I personally, like to thank Jon for not only agreeing to do an interview with me but for also being so done to earth and personable. Even through a simple email you can not only feel his personality shine through the screen, but you could  feel/read the love and passion he has for the work that he is accomplishing by reaching out today's younger generation and taking about the struggles and pressures their facing trying to navigate themselves in the real world, all the while trying to find  what the relationship might be between them, Jesus Christ, and God. 1. I first became a fan of yours after I watched your poem, “who you are: A Message To All Women” which is absolutely beautiful. What do you think society should take away from watching this video? And why do you think society seems more focused on “air brushing” imperfection whether than embracing it? I would hope that people would take away the truth that they always knew on the inside, but never had the courage or permission to admit to themselves. The poem is not about us being so great, but rather the confidence we can walk with because we are made in the image of God. 2. You cover a lot of topics in your videos from drinking to sex before marriage ECT. What do you say to critics that think because you “preach about God” that you should address such topics as it is written in the Bible, and not put such a modern approach to your “preaching”? I think I do address those topics the way they are written in the Bible. The heart behind the majority of those videos is that most people are looking for a black-and-white answer. However, we don't find that in scripture for many of those things. The videos are there to encourage people to think more critically and really search with the scripture say, rather than just regurgitating what they heard once in a church. 3. I recently downloaded your podcast: The JonCast. Yours is the very first podcast   I have ever downloaded. The Passion Buckets: areas of your life that are or not being poured into. Pinpoint where you need to refill your bucket. I just love that idea. Have you ever thought of doing a journal series based on The Passion Buckets?  I have not. Maybe someone will. You? I think that would be really cool. 4.  What made you decided to do a podcast? And did you find it difficult to come up with new topics that are related to Everyday life and the Bible without being receptive or keeping yourself from becoming bored with the process altogether? I start a podcast because I realize there was a hole in the way that people were engaging with my content. Originally, I was only uploading my full sermons to YouTube. However, I realized that I am myself rarely will sit for 30 to 40 minutes and watch a sermon on YouTube. However, I do listen to a sermon podcasts all the time! With this, I realize they were probably people like me who could be encouraged by the sermons but they just weren't being put out on a platform that was conducive to their habits. I'm all about meeting people where they are. 5. For those that don’t know, You have two books out called, “Authentic Love” and “Created To Create,” for those that have not heard of the books or read them can you tell us what the books are about, and why you thought it was important to write them? Authentic Love is a series of memoirs based on my experiences as a camp counselor growing up. Each chapter unpacks a different story and a different lesson I learned from that interaction. This book was important for me to write because it was my first. But also because I believe that Christian culture is doing a massive disservice to the younger generation. We have so much to learn from them. The book is about learning to have a child like faith. Created to create is the combination of years worth of blog posts all surrounding the relationship between faith and creativity. I also believe that Christian culture, specifically the church does a massive disservice in their treatment of artists and the topic of creativity. This book is about encouraging people that each and everyone of us are creative beings created by and in the image of a creative God. 6. The Difficult Middle podcast has a very powerful, and relatable message. How do you find the energy to overcome your difficult middle on a daily basis? By reminding myself that it's not the finish line. By remembering that on the other side of this problem there is a promise that God is waiting for me to inherit. 7. Thank you, for episode 5 of your pod cast: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told. Because I am a strong believer in God makes who you are for a reason. And with bullying being such an epidemic what is your advice to someone who has listened to that particular podcast and is struggling with being bullied? It's all about the voices you choose to listen to. We can't always choose what we here, but we can decide what we allow into our brains our hearts and our souls. That's listening! And so the question is, are you going to listen to the voices of the world that are lying to you? Or are you going to listen to the voice of God? This is obviously easier said than done. But it is a process that each and every person can and should fight through every day. 8. Have you thought about putting out a devotional or poetry book of your work? I have. I just haven't really gotten around to it yet. Being a one-man shop means that I'm often heavy on the idea side but short on the resources or time side to execute on every idea. Hopefully someday! 9. Which do you enjoy more on its own? public speaking/preaching or spoken word poetry? On its own? Preaching. But I don't really view the two things as binary. Every pole my right is a sermon in its own way. A sermon to me is a work of art. Or at least it should be. Often times, they are both trying to accomplish the same purpose but they just have a slightly different vehicle to get there. 10. What song/phrase/ quote would you use to describe your life and your life’s work? "Those who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever." that's Daniel 12:3. My prayer and the reason I do the work that I do is to hopefully shine God's light into this world. And I hope that the influence he has had through me continues to bring light to the world long after I am gone. Just like a star appears in the night sky for years after it's been burned out.