Pradeepan Jeeva on Planting in a Post-Christian City, Pastoring Through Suffering, and Measuring Christian Discipleship

In today’s episode, Jason sits down with pastor and church planter Pradeepan Jeeva for a vulnerable conversation on calling, suffering, and leading a church where everyone can find their place. Pradeepan and his wife Amritha co-lead Kalos Church in Bellevue, Washington, a vibrant, multicultural community born out of a literal dream and built one backyard barbecue at a time. With tender honesty Pradeepan shares about the joy and heartbreak of planting in one of the most unchurched cities in America, and how his family’s story, from Sri Lankan refugees to pastors in Seattle, has shaped the unique multicultural demographic of their church. From his personal mental health challenges to his children’s autism diagnoses, Pradeepan opens up about what it means to keep pastoring when life gets tough, and how the Church he founded became an essential support to his family. In this conversation, Pradeepan shares: The spiritual roots of Kalos Church and how a dream led them to plant a church in Seattle, How the Church helped carry him through personal grief, personal breakdown, and family hardship, How his son became the inspiration behind their church’s thriving special needs ministry, A fresh, practical model for discipleship borrowed from his son’s individualized education plan, and why story-sharing and vulnerability are non-negotiables for building a diverse, healing community.

Pradeepan’s passion for Jesus, love for the Church, and unwavering commitment to those on the margins will leave you encouraged, challenged, and deeply moved.

Show Notes Pradeepan’s Mailing List and Book Notifications Kalos Church The Pastorate Listener Survey Fall 2025 Pastors Retreat at Barnabas Landing

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Thank You to Our Episode Sponsor Special thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for making this episode possible. We invite you to explore their Bible Course to help your church grow in Scripture engagement.