Leadership

Born and raised in New Haven, CT, Pastor Jason Goubourn received Christ at 16 years old in the midst of an intense struggle with depression. Since that time, God has used Pastor Jason's musical and leadership abilities to lead COTR and thousands of others in heartfelt praise and worship in venues such as Shubert Theatre, Bridgeport Arena, Oakdale Theatre and Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN). He also led hundreds of youth to Christ during his time as youth pastor here at COTR where he served for 14 years.

Pastor Jason became the lead pastor of COTR in 2018. In 2020, led by the Holy Spirit, Pastor Jason acted on his call to take the great commission literally by going throughout the world making disciples. God gave Pastor Jason a bold goal concerning the great commission which is to plant two self-sufficient COTR Global Campus on every continent. To date, God has blessed us to launch campuses on the continent of Asia, South America, and Africa. In addition to COTR Global, God has used Pastor Jason to birth COTR Global Christian Academy which officially launched in January 2023.

Pastor Jason has over 20 years of ministry experience and has been married to his lovely wife Asia Goubourn since 2006 and they have 4 wonderful children.

Pastor Asia is the proud wife of Pastor Jason and is the founder of the COTR-NHV Bloom Women's Conference & My Daughter’s Keeper Ministries, a non-denominational Christian ministry that desires to equip mothers and daughters from all walks of life with biblically sound tools needed to restore hope and bridge the spiritual gap between them. Pastor Asia has over 20 years of ministry leadership experience, serving alongside her husband, Pastor Jason.  Pastor Asia currently serves as the Women’s Ministry Pastor and oversees several ministries.
In addition to ministry, Pastor Asia is also an Educational Consultant and has held Adjunct Professorships at Mercy College in New York City and Fairfield University in Connecticut. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education. Together, Pastors Jason and Asia are the proud parents of four children, Leah, Kaylah, Joshua, and Jaylen.

As long-time members of Church on the Rock, Pastor James and Evangelist Gail have served on staff for over 40 years.  Pastor James has faithfully led our outreach team, sanctuary ministry, security, sound team, men's ministry and intercessory prayer team.  He has shared the message of Jesus Christ’s light and hope with individuals at Cheshire Men’s and Carl Robinson Men’s Correctional Facilities, Niantic Women’s Facility, and Mason Youth.

Having reached many hearts with the gospel of Jesus Christ both here at Church on the Rock and around the world in countries such as Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, and Peru, he and his wife Evangelist Gail have seen many lives changed, families restored and hope renewed as a result of their desire to be used by God and see God’s will be done in the lives of all people. Together, Pastor James and Evangelist Gail lead our Marriage Ministry and do much of our pre-marital counseling. Gail, the former Administrative Assistant of our lead pastor, is also a graduate of CT State Community College with an Associate Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. Pastor James holds a Theology Degree from Christian Life School of Theology. Together they are proud parents of 4 children, 19 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

Pastor Kearse earned a B.A. in Philosophy from the Florida Atlantic University, and both the M.Div. and D. Min. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as the Senior Pastor of N Street Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, Macedonia Baptist Church in Heathsville, Virginia, and Union Temple UFW Baptist Church in New Haven, CT. Pastor Kearse has also served as an Associate Minister at The First Cathedral in Bloomfield, CT, where he taught Biblical Hermeneutics and Exegesis for the Ministers in Training and a class called “The Making of a Leader” for the ministers at The First Cathedral. Pastor Kearse was also an instructor for The First Cathedral’s New England School of Ministry and for Alpha Bible College at First Baptist Church in Loretto, Virginia.

In 2011, Pastor Kearse and his family were led to join Church on the Rock, where he currently serves as our Outreach Pastor and one of the instructors for Church on The Rock's Global Christian Academy. He is happily married to Min. Lynn Kearse. Min. Lynn, who has been involved in worship ministry for over 40 years, has served as the worship director at Church on the Rock since 2020. Min. Lynn holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature from the University of Maryland at College Park and a J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law. She currently works at a law firm in New Haven, CT and is also a licensed realtor.

Pastor Kearse and Min. Lynn are blessed and grateful to have five children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Youth and Young Adult Pastor, Solomon Green is a native son to New Haven, CT and grew up under the ministry at COTR. Pastor Solomon became Youth & Young Adult Pastor in September 2024. He has professionally mentored and served students all over New Haven Public Schools through creative arts and has a heart to see young people discover their true purpose on this earth.
After serving the city for several years in the school district, he and his wife have been called to lead our Rock Youth Ministry, Young Adults and Creative Team which uses arts to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are the proud parents of their son Ezra, and daughter Ella.

Brian & Beth Schmidt are the International Outreach Lay Leaders at Church on the Rock. They met and were married here in 2008. Together, they have a heart for missions and currently sponsor children in Malawi, Peru, Liberia, and Rwanda. They also team up to teach Rock KIDS Sunday School.

Brian came to Connecticut in 1987 to attend the Yale University School of Art. After receiving his MFA in Painting, he was hired by the School and worked in the Finance Office until retirement in 2023. At Church on the Rock, he currently is on the Creative Arts Team, has served in the Men’s Ministry, taught various art courses, lead Care Groups, and has several paintings hanging in the church. His artwork focuses on praising God and prayer; he continues to paint and exhibit around the Northeast.

Beth Schmidt (COTR member since 2006) has lived all over the US as the daughter of two Naval Corpsmen. She came to New Haven in 2006 as part of a job transfer. She works part time as a Marketing Consultant for a medical device start-up in New Haven. Here at COTR, Beth serves as our COTR Global Coordinator and does admin work for GCA and the Growth Track team.

Brian and Beth have two children (Kevin & Anna), three grandchildren (Emry, Rylan, & Cameron), and one cat (Rosie).

Edwin and Rosa Rodriguez are the Domestic Outreach Lay Leaders. They are long time New Haven residents, have been married since 1990 and have two adult children, Edwin Jr and Celeste.

Edwin joined COTR in 2004, when he re-dedicated his life to the Lord. He has enjoyed the fellowship of the Men's Ministry, serving in the Boys 2 Men and Gang of Dads mentoring ministries, Altar Ministry, Drama Ministry, Small Group, and the Praise & Worship Team.

Rosa joined the COTR family in 1997, and has enjoyed serving in several different ministries: Youth Ministry, Children’s Ministry, Small Groups, Drama Ministry, Altar ministry and Medical Ministry.

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