Faith is not meant to remain abstract. It is lived in daily choices, shaped through honest prayer, strengthened by Scripture, and often refined through seasons of suffering.
In this feature on Living My Faith with James Fenimore, Jason Oakes of Jason Oakes Ministries brings a thoughtful and deeply personal perspective on what it means to follow Christ with humility, courage, and conviction.
Jason is an author, researcher, and pastor with more than 20 years of experience connecting the Christian academic world with everyday believers. Through his writing and teaching, he helps Christians engage confidently with God’s Word and become better equipped to share their faith with others.
Meet Jason Oakes of Jason Oakes Ministries
Jason David Oakes is the author of Sharing Jesus with the Cults and the creator of the Why Does My Bible Say…? series. He holds a Master of Divinity and a Bachelor’s in Church Ministry, and his work focuses on making scholarly biblical insights accessible to the church.
After serving as a pastor for the last 20 years, Jason recently stepped down from that role and moved with his family to Texas. Today, he has the unique opportunity to devote himself full-time to studying, creating, and writing materials that help believers become grounded in their faith and equipped to reach friends and family for Christ.
A Faith Shaped by Scripture
One of the most meaningful passages in Jason’s current season is Galatians 2:20:
“I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life which I now live, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.”
For Jason, this verse captures the heart of Christianity: the believer’s life is no longer centered on self, but on Christ. As he explains, “It is not I, but Christ who lives in me. He is my life.”
That conviction shapes the mission of Jason Oakes Ministries. His work is rooted in the belief that Christians can grow in confidence when they understand Scripture more clearly and learn to trust Christ more deeply.
When Suffering Deepens Faith
Jason’s faith journey has also been shaped by profound personal trials. In February 2020, he experienced a grand mal seizure caused by a meningioma tumor. Since then, he has undergone seven craniotomies and radiation therapy to remove or stabilize several meningioma tumors.
Rather than seeing suffering as separate from spiritual growth, Jason has come to understand it as part of the way God forms believers more into the image of Christ. His story speaks to the perseverance, dependence, and hope that can emerge when faith is tested in deeply personal ways.
What Suffering Can Teach Believers
While every person’s story is different, Jason’s experience points to several important truths for those walking through hardship:
- Suffering can reveal where our trust truly rests.
- Perseverance can become part of spiritual formation.
- Honest prayer matters when life feels uncertain.
- God’s goal in the believer’s life is Christlikeness.
These are not easy lessons, but they are deeply meaningful for anyone seeking to follow Christ faithfully through difficult seasons.
Helping Everyday Believers Engage God’s Word
A key part of Jason’s work is helping Christians bridge the gap between academic biblical study and everyday faith. Many believers want to understand Scripture more deeply but feel intimidated by translation differences, difficult passages, or scholarly resources that seem out of reach.
Through his books, teaching, and the Why Does My Bible Say…? series, Jason works to simplify complex biblical topics without minimizing their importance. His goal is to help readers engage confidently with God’s Word and strengthen their ability to explain their faith to others.
Why Biblical Confidence Matters
For many Christians, confidence grows when they learn how to ask better questions and seek faithful answers. Understanding Scripture more clearly can help believers:
- Read the Bible with greater confidence
- Recognize the value of careful study
- Grow in spiritual maturity
- Share their faith with more clarity and compassion
- Remain grounded when questions or doubts arise
This practical, accessible approach is central to Jason Oakes Ministries and its focus on equipping the church.
Advice for Anyone Struggling to Live Out Their Faith
Jason’s encouragement for those who are struggling spiritually is both simple and challenging: be brutally honest with yourself, with God, and with those you love.
He points to the spirit of David’s prayer in Psalm 139: “Search me … test me … see if there is any anxious way in me, and lead me in the life everlasting.” He also emphasizes the importance of learning to know the voice of Christ, reflecting the language of John 10.
Spiritual growth begins with vulnerability before God. Because Christ died for sin and desires to conform believers into His image, Christians can come to Him honestly and trust Him fully.
Practical Ways to Grow Spiritually
For readers looking to strengthen their walk with Christ, Jason’s perspective offers practical starting points:
- Practice honest prayer. Bring your fears, questions, sins, and struggles before God without pretending.
- Invite God to search your heart. Ask Him to reveal anxious, hidden, or resistant places within you.
- Learn to recognize Christ’s voice. Spend time in Scripture and grow in obedience to what He reveals.
- Stay connected to trusted believers. Honest relationships can help you persevere and mature.
- Remember the goal. Christian growth is about being conformed into the image of Christ.
Living My Faith with James Fenimore
Living My Faith with James Fenimore highlights meaningful conversations about faith, purpose, perseverance, and the ways people seek to live out their beliefs in everyday life. Jason Oakes brings a valuable voice to that conversation as someone shaped by ministry, scholarship, suffering, and a deep commitment to helping believers know God’s Word.
His story is a reminder that Christian faith is not only studied; it is lived. It is lived in the home, in seasons of transition, in ministry, in illness, in prayer, and in the daily decision to trust Christ.
Conclusion: A Life Centered on Christ
Jason Oakes’ message is grounded in a powerful truth: the Christian life is not ultimately about self-reliance, but about Christ living in the believer. Through Scripture, honesty, perseverance, and faithful study, believers can grow more confident in God’s Word and more steadfast in their daily walk with Him.
For anyone seeking to better understand the Bible, strengthen their faith, or live with greater spiritual clarity, Jason’s work offers thoughtful and accessible guidance.
Learn more about Jason Oakes Ministries at https://www.jasonoakesministries.org.
Explore Living My Faith at https://livingmyfaith.com/.
