Reverend Jarrod Cochran

Jarrod is a writer, speaker, and activist for peace, justice, and social change within the context of church and society. Jarrod has served as an interim pastor for an evangelical church and is currently serving as the associate chaplain and firefighter for a local Atlanta, Georgia fire department and a volunteer chaplain that assists the homeless and poverty-stricken. Durin his time of serving in these positions, Cochran has had the opportunity to see first-hand that Jesus has called his followers to something more than a simple belief; Jesus has called them to further the reign of God on this earth and to be agents to this great revolution of grace.

Cochran was raised in an evangelical church where his father served as the senior pastor. Jarrod took over as the interim pastor of this church after his father’s death, but was quickly removed from this position when he began preaching about how Jesus calls his followers to peacemaking as a way of life (during the current Iraq War), that God loves the homosexual just as much as he loves the heterosexual, and suggesting that there is more to being a Christian than opposing abortion, gay marriage, and voting for conservative leaders.

From there, Reverend Cochran began his career as a guest speaker for different gatherings and events while continuing to serve as the associate chaplain and firefighter for a metro-Atlanta fire department. Reverend Cochran has gone on to serve as a member, writer, and a listed speaker for several Christian organizations which include Every Church a Peace Church, CrossLeft, and the Christian networking group Social Redemption. Jarrod has also taken part in a weekly conference-call with prominent religious leaders of all faiths throughout the nation known as the National Religious Leaders Conference.

Jarrod currently holds the positions of Associate Chaplain and Firefighter for a local Atlanta fire department, Media Contact for PFLAG, a member of the Clergy Cabinet for Tikkun Magazine and the interfaith Network of Spiritual Progressives, as well as Ministerial Leader and Counselor for the Christian networking organization Social Redemption. Cochran’s upcoming book tentatively titled, Finding Jesus Outside the Box: Overcoming Cookie-Cutter Christianity, (TBA). This first endeavor takes a look at many of the hot-button moral issues in today’s public arena and reveals what Jesus has to say about each issue as well as the Early Christian stance.

As a guest speaker and writer, Jarrod enjoys any opportunity to share his faith and empower others to put discipleship into action. Jarrod is no stranger to controversy as he regularly tackles difficult issues ranging from our responsibility to the poor and poverty-stricken to the Christ-centered response on the issue of homosexuality. Cochran not only speaks this message but attempts to live it out by actively participating in a leadership-role with several faith-based organizations and groups that are concerned with bringing together faith and social change.

Jarrod’s writings and messages about the poor and vulnerable have gained so much attention, he has recently been asked to be a lecturer on the issue of poverty at Kennesaw State University in the upcoming American History Master’s Study Program, beginning in the fall of 2007.Jarrod lives in the metro area of Atlanta, Georgia, along with his wife Erin, dog Kirby, cat Dylan, and gecko Juju.