Jon has worked in Christian Ministry for 30 years and has been ordained in the Church of England for over 20 years. He has had an incredibly diverse ministry including everything from leading a city-centre church in Dublin, Ireland to leading worship in a drug-rehab centre in California.
Jon’s personal journey through disconnection and disillusionment through to transformation has given him a passion for connecting with those on the outside. Whether those on the outside of society through his work as a prison chaplain and with the homeless at the YMCA, or with those struggling to find a place in their local church.
Motivated by compassion, empathy and kindness he is just as comfortable building relationships and ministering to those living in the poorest communities in Dublin ravaged with drugs and gangs as he is mentoring and pastoring those living in suburban communities. Jon sees himself as a cheerleader and encourager. Empowering others to fulfil their God given potential and to live it out.
Jon is married to Kathryn and they have two teenage children Zach and Sofia. When Jon is not running Men in the Mountains he enjoys following Chelsea football club and hanging out with friends.
About Jon Kissell
Jon has worked in Christian Ministry for 30 years and has been ordained in the Church of England for over 20 years. He has had an incredibly diverse ministry including everything from leading a city-centre church in Dublin, Ireland to leading worship in a drug-rehab centre in California.
Jon’s personal journey through disconnection and disillusionment through to transformation has given him a passion for connecting with those on the outside. Whether those on the outside of society through his work as a prison chaplain and with the homeless at the YMCA, or with those struggling to find a place in their local church.
Motivated by compassion, empathy and kindness he is just as comfortable building relationships and ministering to those living in the poorest communities in Dublin ravaged with drugs and gangs as he is mentoring and pastoring those living in suburban communities. Jon sees himself as a cheerleader and encourager. Empowering others to fulfil their God given potential and to live it out.
Jon is married to Kathryn and they have two teenage children Zach and Sofia. When Jon is not running Men in the Mountains he enjoys following Chelsea football club and hanging out with friends.
Jon's Journey
In the midst of this ministry Jon realised that he was feeling unsettled. While his ministry continued to positively impact people’s lives, he found himself feeling constrained and frustrated, as if he was wearing a jacket that didn’t quite fit.
On the edge of his awareness he began to realise that his ministry did not fully reflect his gifting's and passions. Through the years his first loves of connecting with God through music and creation had become lost and forgotten.
Shortly afterwards Jon came down with an autoimmune virus. During his three month recovery period God spoken profoundly about his invitation in John 10:10 to a Life in all its fullness. He felt challenged to take steps to re-engage with his passions and face the fears that had held him back.
This led to Jon’s reorientation of his ministry. He recorded the album ‘Will You
In the midst of this ministry Jon realised that he was feeling unsettled. While his ministry continued to positively impact people’s lives, he found himself feeling constrained and frustrated, as if he was wearing a jacket that didn’t quite fit.
On the edge of his awareness he began to realise that his ministry did not fully reflect his giftings and passions. Through the years his first loves of connecting with God through music and creation had become lost and forgotten.
Shortly afterwards Jon came down with an autoimmune virus. During his three month recovery period God spoken profoundly about his invitation in John 10:10 to a Life in all its fullness. He felt challenged to take steps to re-engage with his passions and face the fears that had held him back.
This led to Jon’s reorientation of his ministry. He recorded the album ‘Will You
Men in the Mountains is an invitation to find adventure, meaning and purpose in life.
Jon launched Men in the Mountains as a catalyst for men to start the journey into God’s invitation of a full and abundant life.
Jon’s years in ministry had made him acutely aware of the lack of spiritual discipleship opportunities that connect with men’s love of challenge and adventure.
He wanted to develop a discipleship ministry which had long-term, meaningful impact. He recognised that there is far greater freedom and space for self-exploration and discovery outside church buildings, that men need time together for honest and vulnerable conversations, and that creation poses questions that are powerfully and valuably disarming.
Using his coaching skills and discipleship and mentoring experience Jon developed Men in the Mountains as a journey to facilitate insight, wisdom and courage so that men can reconnect with their passions and purpose, identify their goals and support each other to commit to fresh ways of living.
Jon's Journey
In the midst of this ministry Jon realised that he was feeling unsettled. While his ministry continued to positively impact people’s lives, he found himself feeling constrained and frustrated, as if he was wearing a jacket that didn’t quite fit.
On the edge of his awareness he began to realise that his ministry did not fully reflect his gifting's and passions. Through the years his first loves of connecting with God through music and creation had become lost and forgotten.
Shortly afterwards Jon came down with an autoimmune virus. During his three month recovery period God spoken profoundly about his invitation in John 10:10 to a Life in all its fullness. He felt challenged to take steps to re-engage with his passions and face the fears that had held him back.
This led to Jon’s reorientation of his ministry. He recorded the album ‘Will You Walk Into The Room’ that has been on his heart for years. [You can listen to this HERE] and began to develop his music ministry [See Jon's music website].
Founding Men In The Mountains
Men in the Mountains is an invitation to find adventure, meaning and purpose in life.
Jon launched Men in the Mountains as a catalyst for men to start the journey into God’s invitation of a full and abundant life.
Jon’s years in ministry had made him acutely aware of the lack of spiritual discipleship opportunities that connect with men’s love of challenge and adventure.
He wanted to develop a discipleship ministry which had long-term, meaningful impact. He recognised that there is far greater freedom and space for self-exploration and discovery outside church buildings, that men need time together for honest and vulnerable conversations, and that creation poses questions that are powerfully and valuably disarming.
Using his coaching skills and discipleship and mentoring experience Jon developed Men in the Mountains as a journey to facilitate insight, wisdom and courage so that men can reconnect with their passions and purpose, identify their goals and support each other to commit to fresh ways of living.
Music that invites God to walk into the room...
Quincy Jones the legendary music producer once said, “When making music, you’ve got to leave space for God to walk through the room."
“This album is my testimony, my music and my invitation to you wherever you are on life’s journey. Whether you find yourself in the confines of a prison cell or you're lucky enough to be sharing a bottle of wine on a Friday night with the one you love. Listen to these songs, open the door of your heart, and invite God to walk into the room. For God is not far from any one of us... " Jon Kissell
Will You Walk Into The Room is an album that transcends the natural world, inviting the listener through the unseen veil towards the beautiful light. The songs are spiritual and full of passion, a declaration to the world that there is real hope. Jon Kissell's soulful delivery and mellow vocals capture some of his lifelong influences including Bob Marley, Kevin Prosch and Van Morrison.
