About Jerry

As a Thank You for visiting this page, I’ll keep it short.

I was born in the sticks, raised at the beach, and I’m a lover of the city.  

That’s me over there. 6th grade. I would have never guessed I’d ever have my own blog. That was 1984. I would have said, “What’s a blog?”

I’ve been hooked through the ear, shot in the neck, and nearly paralyzed.  All before my teen years.

I’ve been in full-time student ministry since 1995. At my first internship, I grew that youth group from 4 teens to 1.  (I’ve learned a few things since then.)

Since 2004 I have been serving as Pastor of Student Discipleship at Southside Church in the Richmond VA area. As of 2022, I serve as Pastor to Students & Young Adults.

I’ve been married to my girlfriend Merritt since June, 1995…one month after we both graduated from college.  I’m probably the happiest married man you’d ever want to meet.  Merritt is the most incredible woman I know, and we have 4 kids (okay, they’re adults, but ya know) who keep me humble and laughing every day.

I’ve spoken at national conventions, regional events, and local churches to students and leaders from all across the country.

I enjoy writing, thinking, traveling, communicating truth to the young generation, investing in leaders, and hunting cheeseburgers.  And I have a blog.

  • You can follow me on Twitter, where I tweet rather selectively. Just search “@jerryvarner” and you’ll find me. (Taste the latest below.)
  • You can also find me on Instagram. Search “@jerryvarner”. You can peruse pics of stuff I see and almost never see something I’m about to eat. Because…honestly…why?