Hello. My name is Jared Yaple (like “maple”). My family started attending Watershed in June of 2014. My installation as pastor took place on October 5th, 2015.

I am married to Jennifer, an artist and graphic designer. We have a son who lives in northern Michigan (Jackson), a daughter who lives with her husband in South Bend, IN (Kate and Dylan), and a son who lives with his fiancé and their dog in Brooklyn, NY (Matt, Kate, and Spicy).

I grew up a military kid in northern Michigan, graduating from Suttons Bay High School in 1994. I have a B.A. in Youth Ministry (Moody Bible Institute), an M.A. in Communication and Culture (Trinity Graduate School), and a Master of Divinity (Calvin Theological Seminary), with additional study at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Harvard Divinity School. I have a certificate in narrative-focused trauma care (The Allender Center). I am a Commissioned Pastor in the Christian Reformed Church.

As a bi-vocational pastor, I also work as a housing-based case manager for Goodwill Northern Michigan, serving clients that have exited homelessness and entered supportive housing.

If you’d like to connect over a phone call or coffee, email me.

Favorite Books Read in 2026

Dominion - Tom Holland

Theo of Golden - Allen Levi

Foster - Claire Keegan