Jason Perkins
7 min read ⭑
“Like so many others who have gone before me, I have discovered that the health of your internal life will always be revealed in your external life.”
The exhaustion and feeling of emptiness from soul burnout affects so many people today, and Jason Perkins knows that feeling all too well. Finding that healthy balance between rest and hustle is complicated for many of us. Jason, a pastor and the founder of Irresistible Church Network, helps guide people in the process of caring for their souls without sacrificing their goals.
Jason spends some time in this interview revealing his practices of soul care, his desire to be known in community and his journey of embracing the Father’s gift of limits. Keep reading to learn how, in the midst of this world of busyness and burnout, Jason tends to the garden of his heart and stays filled up so he’s able to pour out on others.
QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT
There’s much more to food than palate and preference. How does a go-to meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind the web bio?
I grew up in Sydney, Australia, but I have lived many years in various places in the US. I graduated from high school in Orlando, Florida, spent a year living in Prague, Czech Republic, and went to university and Bible school back in Sydney. My wife, Kristin, and I spent nearly 20 years living in the US, from New York to Boston to Austin and Colorado Springs. Six months before the global pandemic in 2020, we moved to sunny Brisbane, Australia.
No matter where I live, I long to be known in our community — to repeatedly visit the same local shops and restaurants in order to get to know the owners and be known in the community. That is why I am always drawn to those small, unique eateries with the charm and character often lacking in chain restaurants. My current go-to establishment is an Aleppian restaurant (Middle Eastern) owned by Sam and his wife. Kristin and I love the tender meat shish that are marinated and grilled along with the incredibly fresh salads. The dips are incredible, and the garlic is so strong you will be enjoying the flavor for days after. We love the setting on the lake and enjoy slow meals, often at sunset, sometimes enjoying a game at the table while we eat.
Julian Hochgesang; Unsplash
QUESTION #2: REVEAL
We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So, what are yours? What so-called "nonspiritual" activities do you love and help you find spiritual renewal?
Well it is official. My wife and I have turned in our young person cards and have purchased e-bikes. Who would have thought that a simple bike with pedal assist would bring us so much enjoyment together. We ride all over our community and even take them on the road when we travel. They allow us to experience things we would never notice flying by in my Ute (Aussie Pick Up). We enjoy the breeze and even the rain sometimes, and it brings us joy from God’s creation.
Our four-year-old Airedale Terrier, “Dale” (yes Dale the Airedale), also loves the bikes, as we have trained him to run alongside us through our neighborhood gumtree-lined trails. One of the highlights of riding our e-bikes is experiencing those moments when we get to see a sunrise or sunset while riding up and down on the sand by the ocean. It is the benefit of pedal assist that allows sand riding to be so enjoyable. Another incredibly fulfilling activity is anytime I get to experience a live sporting event in person. My personal favorites are rugby league and cricket. The former is a high energy, gladiator-like sport with loud crowds and flamboyant athletes. The latter is a refined, slow and quiet sport. They are extremes, but there is something about experiencing a live sporting event in person that replenishes my soul.
QUESTION #3: CONFESS
Every superhero has a weakness. Every human, too. We're just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re broken and in this thing together. So what’s your kryptonite and how do you hide it?
My kryptonite is not embracing God’s gift of limits in my life. I am easily drawn to overcommitting. I am a recovering people pleaser and productivity-aholic. I think much of my challenge is tied to my identity and desire for people to like me and be impressed by what I do instead of who I am in Christ. The more I trust my identity to who I am in Jesus, the more content I become with who I am and who I am not. It is so refreshing to know that my limitations are actually a gift from my Heavenly Father to protect me and those around me also.
QUESTION #4: FIRE UP
Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your obsession? And why should it be ours?
As I tell my story, I find that many leaders share a similar journey and path. Most of my life until about seven years ago was spent focusing on what I refer to as “harvesting the forest of my external life.” Things like growing a business or organization, recruiting great leaders and team members, casting a compelling vision, raising funds and revenue to accomplish said vision, etc. Like so many others who have gone before me, I have discovered that the health of your internal life will always be revealed in your external life.
If your internal life is not healthy, then your external life will reveal it. Many times this will be hurtful, challenging and painful for those you love the most — your family and close friends. This journey led me to discover that I was very good at harvesting the forest of my external life and leadership, but I had never learned how to tend to the garden of my inner life. This journey has led me to develop numerous gardening practices that help me to tend to my inner garden, to care for my soul.
I now provide coaching, communication, connection and care for leaders that help them reach their goals without losing their souls. I urge leaders to begin tending to the gardens of their inner lives so that they are able to harvest the forests of their external lives for the long haul in ways that are sustainable and healthy for themselves and those they love.
QUESTION #5: BOOST
Cashiers, CEOs, contractors, or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it's God when it happens?
When I am coaching, communicating, connecting or caring for leaders and their souls, to quote the great English runner Eric Liddell, “I feel God’s pleasure.” It is as though I am doing something that I feel I was made for; it seems both effortless and replenishing. I know some may find this kind of work draining and even difficult. However, I find that the more I give to leaders in their pursuit of caring for their souls while working on their goals, the more I have to give. It seems to be a well that refills itself. I sense God’s presence in a very real and tangible way when I am helping leaders in this way.
QUESTION #6: inspire
Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied actions that open our hearts to the presence of God. So spill it, which spiritual practice is workin' best for you right now?
Over the past seven years the practices of silence and solitude have become very transformative to me. I typically begin my day quite early in the morning, making a cup of tea and sitting in the chair in my office. I have a stash of incense sticks on the side table next to the couch, and each stick burns for approximately 20 minutes. I tend to light a stick, find a sacred word or a phrase that reminds me of God’s love for me, and begin soaking in God’s love. Like every human, my mind will often wander off to something I have to do that day or to an appointment I have to get to. When this happens, I simply recall my word or phrase to refocus my mind on soaking in the love of God and his presence in my life. This time has become a foundation for me in the practice of Jesus’ presence all throughout the day.
I also include a shorter time of silence and stillness mid-morning and mid-afternoon. At the end of the day, before I lay the day to rest, I spend a moment in silence recalling the events of the day. I look for two things. First, how much of the day was I aware of the presence of Jesus? Even in the activity of the day, was I aware of his presence? Second, in my interactions with others throughout the day, did the people I engage with experience the love of Jesus in and through my life? How well did I love them? If the goal in following Jesus is to love God and love others, this time of reflection is like a dashboard to help me pay attention to what matters most.
QUESTION #7: FOCUS
Our email subscribers get free ebooks featuring our favorite resources — lots of things that have truly impacted our faith lives. But you know about some really great stuff, too. What are some resources that have impacted you?
There have been so many influential people and resources in my life. So many trusted guides to choose from. Ultimately, my hope in following Jesus is that by spending so much time with him, I might become more like him. That is why reading the gospels have become such an important resource for me to spend time with him.
Outside of the gospels, a significant guide for me has been Pete Scazzerro. Both Pete’s writings and our one-on-one time in mentoring have significantly shaped my slowed-down spiritual life and roots in the historical and monastic leaders of the Christian faith. There are many other great guides from the Spiritual Formation tradition, and I would highly recommend the works of Dallas Willard, James Bryant Smith and John Mark Comer, just to name a few.
We all have things we cling to to survive (or thrive) in tough times. Name one resource you’ve found indispensable in this current season — and tell us what it's done for you.
I am currently spending some significant time developing a clearer understanding of the greatest contribution that God is inviting me to bring to the world. A simple and short book by the Quaker author Parker J. Palmer has been incredibly helpful during this discernment season, along with the practice of the Clearness Committee he outlines in the book.
QUESTION #8: dream
God is continually stirring new things in each of us. So give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?
I am in the midst of a significant growth season in my ministry across the board. This is forcing me to assess my limits and engage with other like-minded leaders who can help to scale the impact of the ministry. This is certainly in my wheelhouse as I am wired to connect with other leaders. I am fearful about the scaling of the ministry as I have not led something of this size and scale before. I know that God has led us to where we are today, and he will continue to walk with me every step of the way. My greatest fear is in the unknown, yet I have a peace and contentment to trust him every step of the way.
Jason reminds us of the significance of tending to the garden of our inner lives. He reveals how his practices of silence, solitude and reflection help keep him filled up and focused. Every day, he asks himself how much of the day was spent aware of Jesus’ presence and how well he was able to love those around him.
Scripture talks about the fruit that believers produce from the garden of their hearts in Galatians: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. Take some time to ask the Gardener of your heart to show you ways to tend to your heart so that you can have true rest and fruit in abundance.
Throughout years of leadership, Jason has experienced both highs and lows. He and his wife, Kristin, embarked on their journey together as missionaries with Word of Life Australia, raising three wonderful children — Xavier, Olivia and Miles. They embraced each new opportunity as a family mission. Jason served for 15 years as a camp director for Word of Life, spanning Australia and the USA, while also excelling in business marketing and sales in the software industry. His life has been dedicated to ministry, whether through vocation or volunteering. In 2015, Jason assumed the lead pastor role at a North Point Strategic partner church in Colorado Springs. Despite years of growth, he encountered burnout, leading him to realize the importance of soul care without sacrificing goals. In 2020, he founded the Irresistible Church Network of Australasia, returning to Brisbane, Australia, where he currently resides. As its director, he coaches lead pastors and their teams, prioritizing soul care alongside goal attainment. Jason’s journey in soul care has been enriched by resources from Pete Scazzero and Emotionally Healthy Discipleship. Mentored personally by Pete since 2021, Jason joined the executive team of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship in 2023, expanding his coaching and mentoring globally beyond the Irresistible Church Network.
