We believe very strongly in the “Priesthood of all believers”—that is, that all believers are gifted and equipped to do ministry in the church. Certain people are called out for their gifts in teaching and leadership: these are our licensed and ordained ministers. Our church’s goal is to find meaningful ways for everyone to participate and serve, valuing all gifts and talents.
Our team of pastors at Washington City Church of the Brethren is made up of Jennifer Hosler, Nathan Hosler, and Jeff Davidson, . They are all equally part-time ministers leading the congregation through preaching and through the sharing of other pastoral roles. Jacob Crouse is our music leader and Jessie Houff is our Community Arts Minister.
Biographical Information
Jennifer Hosler
Jenn serves as a pastor at our congregation, focusing on community outreach and preaching. She also works with others to coordinate worship planning and preaching. Jenn is a full-time PhD student in Community Psychology and a researcher specializing in program evaluation. She has previous training in Community Psychology (MA, Community Psychology and Social Change) and also in biblical and theological studies (BA, Biblical Language). She has served for the Church of the Brethren denomination in numerous capacities, including writing bible study curriculum on social justice in the prophets and is currently conducting a narrative research project on urban churches across the US. Jenn loves to run long distances, ride her bicycle, plant and tend her tiny urban farm, and spend her little free time with Nate and her son, her kittens, and friends.
Nathan Hosler
Nate serves as a pastor in our congregation, focusing on advocacy and preaching. For his employment, he directs the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy for the Church of the Brethren denomination. Nathan has a BA in Biblical Language and and MA in International Relations focusing on religion and peacebuilding. He recently finished a PhD in Theological Ethics and will be publishing his dissertation on peacemaking in the work of Stanley Hauerwas with Wipf & Stock publishers. Nate likes to run long distances, bike commute in DC, cook and try foods from around the world, and create and/or collect art.
Jeff Davidson
Jeff serves as a pastor at our congregation focusing on pastoral care and preaching. He also works as a call-taker and trainer at the 911 center in Fairfax County, VA. Jeff has been a radio broadcaster, a pastor, and a car salesman. His academic training is in communication (BS, Speech Communication and Drama) and congregational studies (MDiv.) Jeff enjoys reading old mystery stories, fantasy sports, Turner Classic Movies, and rooting for the Nationals. Jeff and his wife Julia Gilbert are pictured here with our church’s Peace Pole.
Jacob Crouse
Jacob serves as a music leader at our congregation along with running projection, audio, and recording. Brother Jake also works doing freelance Audio/Visual Engineering work for conferences in Washington, DC. Other notable projects he enjoys includes working on vintage motorcycles, editing and hosting the Dunker Punks Podcast, and writing and recording music. He wrote this autobiographical haiku to briefly describe himself to someone who he hasn’t met before:
Technological
Writes, listens, plays, records tunes
Dunker Punk for life!
Jessie Houff
Jessie serves as the Community Arts Minister at the Washington City congregation. Jessie hails from Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and is currently based in Baltimore, Maryland. Jessie was born and raised in the Church of the Brethren and uses the core values of living simply, peacefully, and together in her artwork and daily life. Most of her art practice revolves around paper; she creates handmade paper from recycled fibers and alters old books into works of sculpture, lamps and journals. After four years at Bridgewater College where she received her Bachelor’s degree, Jessie spent over two years in Brethren Volunteer Service serving underprivileged youth in upstate New York and orienting future volunteers in the Elgin, IL BVS office. While in BVS she found her passion for social justice work as it relates to art. She went on to earn a Master of Fine Art in Community Art from Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. Jessie has been working in underserved communities collaborating with youth and older adults in the Baltimore area through artmaking and community engaged projects. Starting an arts ministry at a Church of the Brethren has been a dream of hers and she is excited to bring it to fruition at Washington City.
