About Jake

Jake Porter, a sixth-generation Mont Belvieu resident and class of 2000 graduate of Barbers Hill High School, was called to serve as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in March of 2004. 

Jake graduated from Elmira College in Elmira, New York in the spring of 2004, receiving a B.A. degree, Magna Cum Laude, with triple majors in psychology, music, and philosophy and religion.  While at Elmira College, he was involved in campus ministry leadership and musical theatre.  Jake was inducted into Psi Chi (the National Honor Society in Psychology) and Omicron Delta Kappa (the National Leadership Honor Society).

While working on his undergraduate degree, Jake also had the opportunity to study theology at L’Abri Institute in Huemoz, Switzerland and the spiritual disciplines with the monks of Taize, an ecumenical monastery in France.  He is currently working towards the completion of a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Havard School for Theological Studies in Houston.  In the summer of 2005, he studied at Oxford University with other seminary students.  Jake has studied through the Leadership Institute of America to become an advanced certified Human Behavior Consultant.  He also recently completed the National Community Crisis Response Team Training of NOVA (National Organization for Victim Assistance).

Jake’s interests include reading and current events.  He enjoys eating and loves just about any food put before him.  His favorites are fried oysters and chocolate (not together, of course).  Among his favorite musicians are Third Day; David Crowder Band; the Eagles; Johnny Cash; and Verdi.  At the church Christmas party every winter, Jake takes pride in being a serious competitor in the Spoons tournament.

Proclaiming the transforming Good News of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Word of God is the passion of Jake’s life.  He believes that only Christ has the power to bring life out of death and make all things new.  It is his greatest desire to see people begin to love and live boldly for God. 

Besides serving as pastor, Jake also participates in a church small group and sometimes plays keyboard with the worship team.  He is active in the community by playing bassoon in the Baytown Concert Band and acting as chaplain for the City of Mont Belvieu’s Emergency Services.