Hi friends, I’m Josh the praise and worship pastor here at Journey. My department is compiled of the band members & tech team. I and my better half, Stephanie have served in this position for the last 5 years, however, I started here as a band member 12 years ago, right before my wife got pregnant with our first child. We have 4 wonderful kids who have been born here, dedicated here, & 2 just last year got baptized here. Needless to say Journey is our second home, the home our whole household chooses. So a little about my history, I’ve always had a love/connection with music. In my younger teenage years I had many people prophesy over me that I was meant to do something amazing in music. I believed that as well, however my thoughts were not the same as Gods. I think we’ve all experienced that a time or two. I went to a professional performing arts school in New York City a few semesters, and kept having things pile against me remaining there. Confused, I went back home to Indiana for a few months & then felt a pull to Chattanooga. I started school at Southern Adventist University, helped create a band, met my wife, and went on tour for a while with my band. How does this matter? Well, one of the shows on our tour was the very first opening service at Journey. God brought me where I was supposed to be, but I was not ready and did not realize that. So about 3-4 yrs later my band fizzled and my now wife and I were looking for a home church. We tried Journey, and the rest is history. I’ve seen God do miraculous things in my life, our church, and our family, and through it all, I’ve grown a passion for bringing the church to the foot of the cross, through worship.  If you’re interested in being apart of our band, our tech team, or not sure where your right fit is; you can always approach myself or Stephanie & we’d love to help you find your fit in our church and be apart of the family. The best way to reach both Stephanie and I, are at j.jeskridge@gmail.com and sleskridge@gmail.com

Jimmy grew up Rio Rico, AZ; a town on the Mexican border. He graduated from the U of A with his B.S. in Applied Mathematics shortly before joining staff with Cru in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. After overseas missions, he felt called to attend seminary at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and graduated with his M. Div in Evangelism & Discipleship. Jimmy has pastored over 10 years from children to adults, but is most passionate about serving young adults, youth, and their parents. He is married to Frances, and they have one son named Ezra.