About JupiterFIRST
Statement of Faith
JupiterFIRST Church’s DNA is the United Church of Christ. As a member of this larger Body of Christ, we stand strong in our faith and our convictions that ALL are unique, unrepeatable, miracles of God…
Leadership
JupiterFIRST is led by a talented team of individuals dedicated to Christ and community…
Who we are
We are a congregational church in partnership with the United Church of Christ (UCC). Our members come from many religious backgrounds. We encourage our members to engage the Bible thoughtfully, to develop a personal relationship with Christ, and to grow in the grace of God in concert with the Holy Spirit.
Where we come from
JupiterFIRST Church was started in 1983 by Rev. Ned Barnes and his wife, Lynn, as a plant of the United Church of Christ. They imagined a church that welcomed individuals and families of all types. A church that didn’t just use the word “welcoming” but actually was welcoming—where everyone had a seat at the table regardless of personal history, sexual identity, family status, or ethnic background.
In 1993, Rev. Dr. Barry Johnson and his wife, Barbara, came to JupiterFIRST to continue the good work Ned and Lynn Barnes began. Pastor Barry, who went to be with his Lord and Savior, May 29, 2021, served the Lord for fifty years, twenty five of those years at JupiterFIRST Church. Pastor Barry ministered this church well, growing the congregation and expanding the campus with the addition of a new state-of-the-art Sanctuary, office building, and Center for Spiritual Renewal (CSR). He instilled in this congregation of believers these truths: God is good…All the time, God loves us more than we can ever mess up, and we are unique and unrepeatable, miracles of God. They are words of hope and definitely, words well remembered. For his entire ministry, Barry closed all his written correspondence with the phrase, “The JOY continues,” and it does.
Where we’re headed
JupiterFIRST Church is committed to fostering a community that is welcoming, Biblically centered, diverse, joy-filled, and bursting with grace. At the core of our mission, we are a forward-thinking congregation spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout our community and beyond.
Pastor Chip Jurskis, formerly the Designated Lead Pastor, was called and unanimously affirmed by the congregation as our Lead Minister in February 2023.
What this means for you
You will always be welcome at JupiterFIRST Church. Wherever you are, whoever you are, however you are, you’ll always be accepted as part of God’s family.
To plan your first visit, click here. If you want to learn more about what we believe as a church, click here. Or, if you’d simply like to get in touch with us, click here.