Hi, We're the Skippers
Thanks for checking us out! We are Jason, Norah, Erynn, Jordan, & Derrick Skipper, and we live in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Our lives have been an adventure—a mix of ministry, technology, and family life—and we'd love for you to get to know our story.
It's Been an Adventure: How It All Began
I (Jason) grew up in Oakland, Maryland. In late December of 1995, I joined my parents on a two-week missions trip to Bolivia to help with a building project at a theological seminary. From the moment I arrived, I fell in love with the city, the culture, and the people.
After returning to the United States, I couldn't stop thinking about that amazing place I had visited. I felt strongly that, for some reason, God wanted me to return. At first, I tried to push the feeling out of my mind—I had other plans for my life. But by early February, I realized God was up to something. One day during prayer, I said, "Fine, God, if this is your will, open the doors. If not, slam them shut!" I decided to send a snail-mail letter to the local missionary, asking if he needed help. Honestly, I didn't expect a reply. But two weeks later, I got a collect call from Bolivia. It was him. His first words? “How soon can you get here?!”
At the time, I was studying Business Management in college. I decided to "take a year off" to answer what I believed was God's calling. My plan was simple: spend a year in Bolivia, then return to the U.S. to finish college and pursue my dream of small business ownership. I had no intention of staying long-term and didn't even know what I'd do once I got there. But after several months of fundraising, I was on my way—ready for the adventure ahead.
Our Plans Aren't Always God's Plans
I arrived in Bolivia in August 1996 and began teaching English at the seminary. When I first arrived, I didn't speak a word of Spanish. Living with the students and being fully immersed in the culture changed everything. Incredibly, after two months, something clicked. Suddenly, I could understand conversations around me. I'll never forget the moment I spoke in a church for the first time without a translator—just two months after arriving! By January 1997, only five months in, I was a seminary student myself, studying theology entirely in Spanish.
That's when I met Norah. She was in her third year of seminary, and I was her English teacher. We were also part of the Seminary Drama Team, traveling to orphanages, universities, and villages to share hope through ministry. I quickly realized my “plans” didn't matter anymore. I was where I needed to be, and I was happy. The “one year” I had planned turned into a calling that reshaped my life.
By mid-1997, it was clear Norah and I wanted to serve God together for the rest of our lives. On January 3, 1998, we were married in Sucre, surrounded by family, friends, and even members of the mission team I'd visited with two years earlier.
Answering the Call: Making Disciples in Bolivia
Our First Steps in Church Planting
In April 1998, just a few months after our wedding, we planted our first church in Sucre with our tithe money, a shared vision, and unwavering faith. Over the following years, we partnered with young seminary graduates to establish multiple churches. While not all of them thrived, each experience taught us invaluable lessons.
A New Model: The Change That Transformed Everything
In 2003, we launched our most successful church, breaking away from the traditional model where pastors carried the full burden. We embraced a small-group model, empowering leaders to disciple others who became leaders themselves. This transformed the church into a thriving community. At its peak, 173 small groups met weekly, sharing Christ's love and impacting thousands.
While Norah and I led the church, discipleship became a shared responsibility, creating a movement that continues to grow. This approach didn't just build a church—it built a legacy.
Family and Ministry Growth in Bolivia
Our three children—Erynn (2000), Jordan (2004), and Derrick (2007)—were all born in Sucre, Bolivia, where they grew up immersed in the vibrant community of our ministry. From a young age, they were active participants in church life. Erynn joined the dance team at our Sucre church, later transitioning into other roles in worship and creative ministries. Jordan and Derrick, though younger at the time, naturally embraced the values of faith, community, and service, growing up surrounded by inspiring examples of ministry.
In 2009, we moved to Santa Cruz to plant another church, a decision that brought both excitement and challenges. The transition wasn't easy for our family, but we trusted in God's leading. During those two years, we witnessed hundreds of lives impacted and saw our ministry expand in unexpected ways.
By 2011, after much prayer, we felt God's prompting to return to the United States. It was a bittersweet decision, but one that felt right for our family and the future of our ministry. Over the years, we had built a strong relationship with "Catedral de la Fe," a large small-group-focused church in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Pastors Osvaldo Carnival and Gustavo and Susana Rossi graciously took on the spiritual oversight of our congregations. We entrusted the Santa Cruz church to a pastoral couple from their team, ensuring the continuation of the work God had begun through us.
Reflecting on our years in Bolivia, we see how profoundly they shaped us. Those years strengthened our faith, taught us to trust God in every situation, and created lifelong friendships that feel more like family. The legacy we left in Bolivia isn't just in the churches we planted—it's in the lives of the people we discipled and the impact they continue to make. The ripple effects of that ministry are still felt today, touching lives we may never meet in this life, but trust are being changed by God's work through those we mentored.
Tech Challenges and Breakthroughs in Bolivia
I've always been passionate about technology, but my journey into it wasn't conventional. During our years in Bolivia, I faced a unique challenge—it was nearly impossible to get legitimate, non-pirated software. Pirated copies of everything were sold openly on the streets, but I felt convicted not to use them. Once, I even purchased software from the U.S., only for it to get stuck in customs. By the time I paid the additional fees and shipping, it cost almost twice the original price.
Instead of giving in, I decided to find another way. I spent weeks on a dial-up internet connection downloading Arch Linux and teaching myself how to use it. That decision changed everything. I learned Linux from the ground up—how to code, use the command line, set up networks, and manage open-source tools. Eventually, I moved away from Windows entirely, transitioning all the church's computers to Linux. This shift wasn't just practical; it was about using resources wisely and ethically .
The benefits were immediate. By using Linux, we avoided the viruses that were often spread through USB flash drives—something common at the time. I even built a wireless network that connected my house to the church, spanning four blocks, using a homemade antenna crafted from a large spaghetti strainer. It was a time of intense learning and creativity .
From Ministry to Tech: The Apple Connection
Home, Sweet Home
After leaving Bolivia, a new chapter of our journey began as we returned to the United States. We spent six months with my parents in Garrett County, Maryland, reconnecting with family and figuring out where to settle. After months of searching, we decided on Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It was closer to family than Bolivia, but still far enough to offer new opportunities.
Technical Background and Work at Apple
When we moved to Tennessee in 2012, I carried with me the tech skills I had gained in Bolivia. Apple was the first place I applied. My leadership experience, technical background, and bilingual abilities made me a strong fit, and I was thrilled to join the team. Working at Apple allowed me to apply lessons I'd learned in Bolivia, sharpening my skills in technology and customer service. It was more than a job—it was a bridge between my past in ministry and my future in tech.
I started in sales at the Apple Store but quickly moved to the Genius Bar as a Tech Support Specialist. In my second year, I became a "Creative"—Apple's term for a certified trainer. I spent my time teaching customers how to use Apple's products and software. It was a role I truly enjoyed, combining my love for teaching and technology in a way that felt natural and rewarding.
To Georgia and Back
From Apple to Georgia: Following the Call
I loved working at Apple. It was a season of growth, learning, and opportunities that sharpened my skills in technology and teaching. But deep down, I knew it wasn't my long-term future. Norah and I have always had a heart for ministry. Not long after moving to Tennessee, we started a small group with the goal of planting a church. By 2014, we were even holding services in a local bowling alley!
Around that time, I read a book about church planting and discovered that the author lived not far from us—in Rome, Georgia. I reached out to him, and we visited his church the very next Sunday. The connection was immediate. We were inspired by their vision and approach to ministry. Soon after, they invited us to move to Rome and work alongside them.
Making an Impact in Georgia
Taking that step wasn't easy, but it felt right. Norah and I took on the role of assistant pastors at their church, where we worked with the worship and sound teams while also developing a Hispanic ministry. At the same time, I pursued a dream that had been on my heart for a while—launching Skipper Innovations. What started as building websites for local churches soon expanded to serving businesses and organizations, blending my passion for technology with ministry.
Our time in Georgia was filled with meaningful ministry and lasting friendships. We saw lives changed and communities strengthened, even as we navigated the challenges of balancing ministry, family, and a growing business.
The Unexpected Transition
Though changes at the church were outside our control, they ultimately led us to another pivotal moment in our journey. By February 2017, we returned to Middle Tennessee and settled in La Vergne, ready for the next chapter. Reflecting on our time in Georgia, we've always seen it as a season that planted seeds for the work we're doing today. Sometimes God uses transitions to prepare us for greater things.
Building Bridges: Family and Work in La Vergne
In February 2017, we settled in La Vergne, Tennessee, ready for a new season of life and opportunities. Norah began working at Publix, where she quickly became a valued team member in the deli. After a year, she transitioned into pharmacy work, becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Nashville. Today, she thrives in her current role with Clinical Solutions in Franklin, TN, where her dedication and expertise shine daily.
The Growth of Skipper Innovations
During our time in La Vergne, I met John Haggard, the owner of a successful advertising agency specializing in traditional marketing. We connected while serving on the video/media team at a church in Bellevue. What began as a friendship quickly evolved into a dynamic partnership—John focused on traditional advertising, while I introduced cutting-edge digital strategies into the mix. Together, we created impactful campaigns that served clients across Middle Tennessee.
My role encompassed website development, search engine optimization, social media management, reputation management, and running campaigns on platforms like Google Ads, YouTube, Facebook, and Microsoft Ads. I also handled video production and editing, crafting compelling TV spot commercials. If you'd like to explore some of the projects I've worked on, check out my Portfolio.
Family Milestones
During our time in La Vergne, our family reached significant milestones. Erynn graduated from high school and pursued her passion for ministry at Highlands College in Birmingham, AL, where she studied worship and creative arts for two years. Today, she serves on the worship team at her church, The Avenue, a church plant she has been part of since its launch in 2021.
Meanwhile, Jordan started college at Motlow State, and Derrick enrolled in an early college program at the same institution while finishing high school. Seeing our children grow, adapt, and thrive has been one of the greatest joys of this season.
Murfreesboro and Beyond: The Adventure Continues
If you've made it this far, congratulations! Either you really like our story, or you're procrastinating on something important (we won't judge). Either way, thanks for sticking with us.
Where We Are Now
In December 2023, we made the big move to Murfreesboro, TN, embracing a fresh start and new opportunities. Life here has been about finding new rhythms, growing as a family, and diving deeper into our passions. I'm still hard at work with Skipper Innovations, helping clients bring their ideas to life with creative web solutions and effective digital marketing. And yes, in my spare time, you'll often find me on the disc golf course. I'm a professional (well, kind of - ha!).
Our Future in Ministry
Our heart for ministry remains strong. We often connect with our churches in Bolivia via Zoom, staying close to the communities we love. Both Norah and I dream of returning to Bolivia someday, but for now, we're embracing this season of life in Tennessee. I've also been working on an exciting new project—an online ministry that blends technology with faith to reach people in both English and Spanish... so stay tuned!
The Best is Yet to Come!
Looking back, it's been an incredible journey, and we're thankful for every twist and turn. We truly believe that the best is yet to come. Thanks for reading our story. Who knows? Maybe one day, we'll cross paths—on the disc golf course, online, or somewhere else on this adventure we call life.