Rev. Jasper Paul Taylor I

Faith Leader, Communicator, Musician, and Servant Leader are a few words that describe Rev. Jasper Paul Taylor, I. As a fourth-generation ordained minister of the gospel, Rev. Jasper serves as the Executive Pastor of St. Paul and Greater Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. He is privileged to continue a legacy of ministry at two churches where his father currently Pastors, but also where both of his grandfathers, distinctively named Jasper, served as Pastor.Rev. Jasper also extends his leadership influence beyond the Church as he serves as the Executive Director of the Calahan Foundation, a 501 c (3) non-profit organization designed to give scholarships to high school graduating seniors, provide college mentoring and impact Chicago through community outreach. (www.calahanfoundation.org)

As a product of the South Suburbs of Chicago, Jasper attended Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School in Flossmoor, Illinois. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music and Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Il. While a student at Olivet, he earned the high honor of being selected as an Illinois Student Lincoln Laureate. Recently he received his Master of Divinity from Northern Theological Seminary in Lisle, Il where he received the prestigious, Byran F. Archibald Award for oustanding achievement in preaching. 

Prior to his current ministry assignment, Jasper served for three years as Worship Pastor at Kankakee First Church in Kankakee, Illinois and gave leadership to Olivet Nazarene University’s Gospel Choir from 2007-2017.A gifted singer and songwriter, Jasper has written and released a single titled, “The One” (2015) and an EP titled, “Jasper: The EP” (2007). He has also written for other choirs and artists including Tanya Ray and the Proclamation Gospel Choir.

Jasper is married to Valerie Calahan-Taylor of Calahan Funeral Home located in Chicago, IL. They are blessed to have a vibrant and vivacious son, Jasper Paul Taylor II. They both strive to make an impact on humanity by sharing and showing the love of God wherever they go. Whether through singing, teaching, or preaching Rev. Jasper gives all the glory to God.