Meet Our Elder Candidates
On Sunday, May 31st, immediately after the worship service, we will vote on our candidates for Elder: Justin Cason and Jason Cotton.
An Elder is a member of the church called by God and set apart as a servant-leader, teacher, and shepherd. Elders at City Church assist the pastors in leading and caring for members, regular attendees, and visitors. The apostle Paul appointed elders at many of the churches he started (Acts 20:17-38); they were an integral part of the early church
Justin and Jason were nominated for the office of Elder last year. Since then, they have taken part in our Leadership Basics class, which covers the duties and responsibilities of the church office, the theology of the Presbyterian Church, and the Biblical qualifications for office. As Elder candidates, Justin and Jason also completed additional training and testing. Now that they have been approved by the session, they will go before the congregation for election.
We’ve put together Q&A for each of our candidates so you can get to know them better. Between now and our congregational meeting, we encourage you to get in touch with Justin and Jason to get to know them better.
Reminder: All are welcome to attend the congregational meeting, but only communing members may vote.
Justin Cason
Where were you born/raised?
I was born and raised in Madison County, Virginia, a small rural county about 30 minutes north of Charlottesville.
How do you spend your days?
I work as a financial planner with a local firm, Lumos Wealth Advisors. More importantly, I spend my days chasing after our three kids and driving them to their various activities.
When and how did you end up at City Church?
After 13 years as a Young Life area director, I began pursuing a career change, and our family wanted to return to Virginia. I had met Erik several times, and we had many friends already attending City Church. When we visited City Church, it felt like home right away.
What led you to pursue the office of elder?
Shepherding and discipleship have always been the most meaningful parts of ministry for me. While leaving full-time ministry was a difficult decision, I always sensed a continued call to shepherd and lead within the church. I was deeply humbled to be nominated as an elder, and the training process over the past nine months has been a strong confirmation of God’s calling.
What do you look forward to most about serving in this role?
I especially look forward to participating in membership interviews, particularly with our third graders as they complete communicants class. I’m also excited to serve in a shepherding role for families at City Church, praying for them, sharing meals together, and continually reminding one another of God’s grace.
(Contact Justin at casonja@gmail.com.)
Jason Cotton
Where were you born/raised?
Born in Charlotte, NC, but moved to Virginia Beach when I was 6 and was raised there until leaving to attend JMU (Go Dukes).
How do you spend your days?
I spend my days first being a husband to my lovely wife, Jordan, and a Dad to my son, Fletcher. Secondly, I spend my working hours serving individuals/families as a Financial Planner, helping people find confidence, clarity, and direction in their personal financial lives. When I'm not doing these things or spending time with friends, I'm normally on a walk around The Fan, trying to squeeze in a round of golf, or dreaming about the next time I can get down to the beach to surf.
When and how did you end up at City Church?
My wife and I started attending City Church in the fall of 2018. We had heard of City Church from some friends of ours that we knew either through JMU or our involvement with Young Life. We checked out a City Group that was meeting in The Fan that year and we've been here ever since!
What led you to pursue the office of elder?
I didn't grow up in the Church, and in many ways City Church is the first Church I've formally committed to in my life as a Christian. As a result, serving in a formal leadership role hasn't been top of mind for me. But, upon being nominated by a couple of individuals in our church for the office of elder, I have felt God nudging me towards this role as I've learned more about our denomination, our Church structure, and the biblical guidance given to the role.
What do you look forward to most about serving in this role?
I've spent a great deal of time with incredible individuals from our church over the years. In particular, I have found God's comfort in and through the voices of members of our church and session as I've navigated times of difficulty over the last 8 years of my life. It has been such a gift to be cared for by our church since 2018, both in the moments of joy and celebration and in the moments of hardship and grief. I feel incredibly humbled and honored to have the privilege of coming alongside the other members of the Session to lead and care for the members of our church on their best and their worst days, knowing God is with and for them. I have been a recipient of this type of care from our church myself, and look forward to giving away what God (and others) have given to me - that we're never alone and have a hope we can rely upon for all of our days.
(Contact Jason at cottonjason14@yahoo.com.)
