Community Leaders

Jay and his wife Judy of more than 30 years have two daughters; Megan and Molly. Jay and Judy own the family business, Ricardo’s Mexican Restaurant. Judy runs the restaurant “to support Jay’s church habit”. Jay began took up golf a few years ago and wonders how something so frustrating can be so much fun. But Jay’s favorite thing to do is to sit on some tropical beach in a far away land with his beautiful wife Judy.

Jay has been connected to the restaurant business all his life. At age 5 he began washing dishes at Jax Café, owned by his parents. While in high school Jay went to work for Double K Drive Inn and Catering were, working nights and weekends. In 1992 Jay and Judy bought Ricardo’s Mexican Restaurant. Seeing that Ricardo’s could not immediately support their family, Jay worked at Norfolk Transmission and Muffler as the Assistant General Manager.

After attending a church conference in 1999, Jay brought back the idea of launching small groups in the church. He led the small group charge as a volunteer for a time; became a part time staff person in 2002 and in 2004 Jay’s position transitioned to full time Small Group Ministry Director (and other duties as defined). With no formal collage education, Jay is a graduate of the “School of Hard Knocks”. God has given Jay a passion for Small Group Ministry so connecting with the Small Group Network has been a great fit for his ministry.

In May of 2010 Jay resigned his position at Our Savior Lutheran Church. With Jay as pastor, his wife and two other couples planted an independent church called Renewed Hope Christian Community. The Lord has led this team to develop a ministry strategy meeting primarily in small groups.