A Strong Foundation is Key to a Sturdy Structure. Two people with a vision, paving the way for Christ for generations to come. Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago of United Faith Church in Barnegat, NJ, have served in ministry for over 20 years. In response to God’s call, they took a step of faith and established United Faith Church in 2006. Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago believe that this was an opportunity to share with many others what has always been practiced in their home. Lifting up the Lord in prayer and worship has always been a main priority in the Santiago household. Without a band or crowds of people, Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago began their

ministry in their home by teaching their children the Word of God, and leading them in worship through singing, dancing, and praise unto the Lord. United Faith Church is much like an extended family, birthed from the hearts of two people who have always wanted to restore true worship to God.

Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago have always believed in having a strong and close-knit family, united by the love of Christ. The Scriptures speak of the Church being the family of God and they have held firmly to the conviction that their home should represent the Church of Christ. In the Santiago family, God comes first, and this is evidenced by the lives of their children today.

Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago have been blessed with two daughters, who were raised in the Lord, and are now thriving adults. Although each of them has a successful, full-time career, they both serve in the Church in alignment to what they have always been taught. It is a foundational cornerstone of this family to, “Seek first the kingdom of God” and trust that all other things will be provided (Matt. 6:33).

Their eldest daughter, Brenda Santiago is the Director of the Children’s Church Ministry at United Faith Church, dedicating countless hours to scheduling, training, and facilitating for each of the teachers and Sunday School classes provided. She has directed holiday programs for the children to participate in, arranged background checks for all children’s church workers, obtained all resources and materials needed, and has facilitated crisis management training pertaining to medical and security emergencies to ensure the safety of all children and teachers.

The Santiago’s other daughter, Jessica Burke, along with her husband, Kris Burke, also fervently serve in various ministries at United Faith Church. Kris and Jessica both preach Sunday morning messages and are leaders of the middle school youth group and cell group Bible study. They also serve as personal mentors of several of the young adults in the church.

Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago were also blessed with their nephew, who they adopted as their son, Jeffrey Brandt. He holds a ministerial and counseling degree and has assisted in all aspects of ministry. Jeffrey, along with his wife Lauren Brandt, are the leaders of the high school youth group, and they also lead in the worship ministry on Sunday mornings. The Santiago’s family members have their hearts set on the Lord and are dedicated to His will for their lives.

Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago can testify today of how their children are now adults who have become strong pillars in the house of God. This is a result of God’s grace over Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago as they have successfully raised their three children to love and serve the Lord throughout their youth. Growing up, especially through their teenage years was both exciting and very busy in the Santiago home. During the time when all three children were of high school age, both parents held successful jobs in the private sector. Yet with their jobs and the children’s sports, meetings, friends, and all kinds of engagements, everyone in the Santiago family knew that this did not stop the worship of God.

Every Tuesday night was ‘worship night’ in the Santiago home. The house was always filled with many other teenagers who were eager to hear Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago teach about God. Many times, well over thirty teenagers could be found sitting in their living room or in their backyard, listening of the wonders of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Raising children to love and serve the Lord amidst the influences of the culture around them compelled Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago to intentionally and purposefully teach their children to love God first in all aspects of life. As teenagers sometimes want to move in different directions, Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago held to their conviction that God always came first. Though at times difficult, Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago were determined to hold to the teachings of the Scriptures. Despite the temptations of the world that surrounded their children, Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago held onto God’s promises for the lives of their children and strongly opposed anything that contradicted what God’s promises said about each one of them.

Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago have not compromised the commands of God, but have lived according to the Word that states, “Train a child in the ways of the Lord, and he will never depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago believe Jesus is the glue that united their family to Him and recognize that without Him there is no victory. As a family, they have been able to hold together in the love of God. Today, all of Pastor Jerry and Pastor Janeth Santiago’s children, along with their spouses, continue to be held together as a family of God along with their extended family, United Faith Church in Barnegat, NJ.

If you would you like to know more about how God can help you to raise your family please visit our website at unitedfaithchurch.org.