Jacob's Porch

Covenant Houses

Jacob's Porch Covenant Houses are an opportunity for students to live in intentional Christian community. They worship, serve and live together abiding by a "Rule" that guides them in their journey. The Porch does not own the houses that the students live in, but rather they rent homes near campus and the porch pays a small monthly stipend to the house leader who coordinates their life together.

Additionally, Covenant Houses invite others into their home each week to join them in what they are doing as a house. This includes studying, praying, small group experience, road trips, serving the community, etc. What happens in the covenant houses are in many ways the heartbeat of our larger community.

Recently I spoke to a local leader of an Episcopal Service Corp community where one of our recent graduates is doing a gap year experience. He said that having her as part of their community this year is a huge asset for them because she already understands how to live in intentional christian community. Read on for an interview with Chris Tavenor, a first year law student at Ohio State and the 'house dad' of the Mens' Covenant House.

Street Outreach on 13th Ave

Serving

Jacob's Porch jumped in to prepare Thanksgiving meals at the West Side food bank for Faith Mission.

Thanksgiving at the Women's Covenant House

Porch Partners - Join Us!

Jacob's Porch is entirely supported by our partners. Our partners include churches, families, Alumni, friends, the synod and the ELCA. If you would like to inquire how to partner with us and support this important ministry please contact Pastor Grant Eckhart at grant@jacobsporch.com or 614-291-9317 for more information. You can click here to give.

We are grateful for two new church partners: Epiphany Lutheran Church in Centerville, Ohio and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Loveland, Ohio. Thank you!!

Here is a picture of Chris Tavenor and his fiancé Kim Hutcheson, a student a Otterbein who is also a member of the Jacob's Porch family.

What has been your experience of Jacob's Porch?

Chris: Jacob's Porch has been an important and safe place for me to explore philosophical and theological concerns that felt like they were not allowed to be explored elsewhere. The difference here is that there is freedom for everyone to explore core questions and different perspectives they have - such as creationism vs. evolution, faith and doubt, the bible, etc. to name but a few that have been meaningful to me. Jacob's Porch is willing to help people explore different viewpoints rather than marginalize a minority opinion whatever they may be. Without Jacob' Porch I wouldn't have a passion for Jesus. Without a place like this I wouldn't have attended a church much less have it as a central part of my life.

What is the importance of a "Covenant House"?

Chris: The Covenant House is a community center for the porch in its outreach beyond the church building. As the leader of a "Cov House" my role is to give a lot of opportunities for people to connect with one another and to the neighborhood. We serve, study, play games, watch football and worship together.

What is one favorite memory you have at Jacob's Porch?

Chris: During one particular time of worship a bunch of Danish students were here. We spent 30 min on our knees praying. It was important to me that a church would do that! I appreciate that Jacob's Porch is willing to do things way outside of the comfort zones of many people.