Jonathan Pokluda Biography

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Jonathan Pokluda is an American author, speaker and pastor known for being the lead pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. He formerly served as leader of The Porch young adult ministry in Dallas, which went on to become the largest of its kind in the country. In this article, we take a look at everything there is to know about Jonathan, ranging from his ministry to his family life and net worth.

Age	44 years old
Birthday	November 10, 1981
Height	6 feet 1 inch
Wife	Monica Pokluda
Children	Three
Denomination	Baptist
Church	Harris Creek Baptist Church
Occupation	Pastor, Author and Speaker
Net Worth	$2 million (estimate)

Jonathan Pokluda Wikipedia

Looking back at his Christian journey, Jonathan didn’t fully understand the gospel until he was in his early twenties. This came after he had already been a part of several denominatNovember 10, 1981ional churches (he now considers himself as “mostly reformed, but kind”). After going into ministry, he has managed not only to become one of the most respected young pastors but also a best-selling author. His book, “Welcome to Adulting,” serves as a road map for millennials navigating through faith and life as a whole and covers several facets of life.

He has written several other books, including “Welcome to Adulting: Survival Guide” and “Outdated,” which explains God’s purpose for singleness, dating, and marriage.

Jonathan Pokluda Age

Jonathan Pokluda is 44 years old. He celebrates his birthday on November 10 and was born in 1981. By many standards, JP is quite a young pastor, which could explain why he usually connects with millennials and Gen Z quite easily.

Jonathan Pokluda Wife and Family

Jonathan Pokluda is married to his loving wife and partner in ministry, Monica. The two share a very special bond in that they lead Harris Creek Baptist Church together, and Jonathan has constantly given her credit as inspiration in writing his books. They celebrated 21 years of marriage on September 5 and have been blessed with three amazing kids named Presley, Finley, and Weston.

Career and Ministry

Jonathan Pokluda’s ministry journey truly began after his personal encounter with the gospel in his twenties. What started as a passion for reaching young adults quickly grew into a calling that would shape his entire career. He first gained national recognition through his leadership at The Porch in Dallas, a ministry that became one of the largest weekly gatherings of young adults in the country. Under his guidance, thousands were drawn to hear biblical teaching that was both practical and deeply rooted in truth.

Today, Jonathan serves as the Lead Pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, where his influence continues to extend far beyond the pulpit. His relatable style and focus on Scripture have made him a trusted voice for a generation searching for clarity in matters of faith and life. Beyond preaching, Jonathan has also established himself as a respected author. His book, Welcome to Adulting, quickly became a bestseller, offering millennials a roadmap for navigating identity, relationships, career, and faith.

In addition to writing and pastoring, Jonathan co-hosts the popular Becoming Something Podcast, where he and his team tackle real-life questions about faith, relationships, and cultural challenges with honesty and humor. The podcast has become a go-to resource for young adults who want biblical answers to everyday struggles. Through preaching, writing, and podcasting, Jonathan has positioned himself as one of the most influential pastors of his generation.

Jonathan Pokluda Net Worth

Jonathan Pokluda has an estimated net worth of around $2 million. However, despite having a commendable amount of wealth, he lives a pretty chill life and isn’t as flashy as many youth pastors often present themselves. However, he does have a great sense of fashion and usually dresses in a way that resonates easily with the youth.

Jonathan Pokluda Health

Jonathan was recently hospitalized and has been giving updates on his Instagram on his journey of recovery.

In the summer of 2024, Jonathan faced a difficult health battle that began with what seemed like a lingering viral infection. It started with the loss of taste and smell, then moved to his ears, sinuses, and eventually his chest, leaving him unwell for months. By early autumn, his symptoms grew more concerning. He experienced severe back pain, weakness in his legs, and even moments where walking felt unfamiliar. A low-grade fever and widespread discomfort followed, signaling something far more serious than a passing illness.

After medical evaluation, Jonathan was diagnosed with Brown-Séquard Syndrome, a rare neurological condition caused by swelling in his spine—likely linked to either infection or degeneration. The condition has left him with one leg weakened and the other unable to properly sense temperature. Despite these challenges, he has continued to approach life and ministry with the same faith and resolve that have defined his journey.

Jonathan has openly shared his struggles, not for attention, but to invite prayers for healing and faithfulness. His vulnerability in this season has been a reminder of his deep reliance on God, even in physical weakness, and has encouraged many who walk through trials of their own.

10 Interesting Facts About Jonathan Pokluda

Lead pastor in Waco. JP is the Lead Pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas.
Built a huge young-adult ministry. Before Harris Creek he led The Porch in Dallas, growing the ministry from roughly 150 to more than 7,000 weekly young-adult attendees.
A late, formative gospel moment. He says he didn’t fully understand the grace of the gospel until his early twenties — a turning point that shaped his focus on reaching 20- and 30-somethings.
Bestselling author. He wrote Welcome to Adulting (and other titles like Outdated); publishers and booksellers list him as the author of multiple bestselling, widely distributed Christian books.
Long-running, high-rated podcast. He co-hosts Becoming Something (with Nate Hilgenkamp and Kathy Davidson), a weekly podcast for people in their 20s and 30s — the show has hundreds of episodes and strong listener ratings. His podcast currently has over 24,000 subscribers on YouTube.
Practical topics for real life. Welcome to Adulting (and its companion 42-day survival guide) tackles friendships, dating, career & money, anxiety, addiction recovery, and purpose — a very practical, millennial-focused approach.
Family & ministry partner. He and his wife Monica are ministry partners; the site names their three children (Presley, Finley, and Weston) and references Monica’s role alongside him.
Campus & event speaker. JP frequently speaks at universities and large events — for example he was a featured convocation speaker at Liberty University in 2024.
Active, personal social presence. His public Instagram bio calls him “Child Of God” and even “Mostly reformed, but kind”; he uses Instagram Q&As and a newsletter to engage directly with young adults.
Creates study guides & curriculum. Beyond trade books he produces Bible-study and small-group resources (e.g., Welcome to Adulting: Survival Guide and study guides tied to his other books).

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References

Jonathanpokluda.com

Jonathan Pokluda Biography – Age, Wikipedia, Wife and Net Worth