The Rev. Jonathan Hemphill

Denomination: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Organization: ELCA Southeastern Synod

The Reverend Jonathan P. Hemphill serves as the Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Life in the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Prior to this call Pastor Jonathan was the founding pastor/mission developer of Another Level Ministries in Los Angeles, CA, founded in 2009. He also served as the Lead Pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church, Los Angeles, from 2016-2021. In addition, Pastor Jonathan was the Campus Minister and Curator of Engage Christian Clubs. Engage Christian Clubs reaches two diverse Community Colleges in the greater Los Angeles Area: Los Angeles Southwest College (est. 2012) and El Camino College (est. 2007). Jonathan has served as the Dean of the Los Angeles Metro Conference of the Southwest California Synod from 2017-2021. He also is a Convocator at California Lutheran University.

Jonathan is frequently sought after as a speaker and consultant in leadership development, ministry coaching and creativity in thinking about how the church engages urban millennials. Pastor J. is an active Community Organizer in the neighborhood around issues of police brutality, food insecurities, and issues of racial diversity. Pastor Jonathan studied Biblical Counseling at The King’s University and graduated from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA. He was ordained to the roster of Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2015.

Pastor J. is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He is the favorable husband of Lady Angela Nicole, a proud lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Together, they nurture two kiddos, Kir’Ra, 18 and Garrett, 15.