Don’t ever mention falling through cracks in the presence of Rev. Jared Greer–unless you delight in seeing eyes roll, hair stand on end and bodily contortions with “rigors” followed shortly by “mortis.”
With three appearances on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior television show and a fourth segment to run at 7 p.m. (CST) on June 23, the former youth pastor is NOT one of the four warriors claiming a million dollars each for total victories over all obstacles during the show’s 17-year run.
Yep, he’s found many cracks through which to fall, as have 180-200 other participants annually. But, he has improved each time, endearing himself to producers and now a tester and consultant for a program receiving up to 50,000 three-minute video submissions annually. The upside, though, is the discovery of a unique career ministry for presentation of the Gospel. At 514 churches, schools and Christian camps during the past decade, some 200,000 young people have attended. Most importantly, 4,156 have accepted Christ….
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Son of Rev. and Mrs. Roger Greer, the Lewisville native was a three-sport star at Huffman High School, near Houston, but decided to forego intercollegiate sports during his four years at East Texas Baptist University.
A professed Christian at age 15, Jared began his youth ministry with a part-time church assignment as an ETBU freshman. As sophomores, he and the former Sally Tacquard were wed. Now, they have sons Micah, 14, and Bennett, 10.
His family leads cheers as he jumps, grabs, balances, reaches, dodges, grimaces and swings in manners he never dreamed of until his church youth urged him in 2013 to submit a video to the TV show. Since, they have prayed for him as he faces obstacles known for their dips, dives, rolls, shakes and twists, often changing speeds and sometimes disappearing. Remember, just four of several hundred thousand entries have totally mastered the course….
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When he was tabbed to compete in 2014–claiming to be “in no way fit for it”–he worked hard and ate right to lose 30 pounds in 30 days to compete at 145 pounds. Standing 5-9, he keenly remembers his first performance foiled by a large log that added insult to injury. While half on the mat and half on the log, it swung around, bopping him in the head. He was greatly embarrassed, doubly so a few episodes later when his “pratfall” opened the show–with voice accompaniment–“Jared Greer gets on log, but it comes back for a knock-out!”
Former youth minister at First Baptist Church in Grandview, he resigned six years ago to enter his “Ninja outreach” fulltime. He and pastor Corey Cornutt remain strong friends, and another valued encourager is Dr. Brad Collins, a fellow churchman and chiropractor who keeps Jared’s body aligned for long road trips, obstacle placement, performances and sharing The Word.
For a couple of years, Jared’s dad was alongside. At ages 68 and 69, he helped with driving and setting up obstacles. He also joined Jared in scaling a 14-foot warped wall, juggling all the while. At one church, Jared reached the top, held on with one hand and fired a basketball at a goal a half-court away with the other. Nothing but net!….
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It’s evident that Jared uses his athletic talents as a means to an end. He knows that few candidates over age 40 are selected for the TV show. In fact, now nearing age 38, he had no intention of competing this season, but The Word goes on. And it was Micah–committed to following in his dad’s footsteps–who prepared and submitted the video.
“To God be the glory,” Jared beams, referencing Gideon, a Biblical figure used of God “to make the impossible possible.”
One day, Micah may go warped-wall-climbing with his dad. And his granddad–now a Latexo, TX, pastor–might join them. What a remarkable trio! God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform….
(More information at obstacleministry.com.)
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Dr. Newbury, a speaker in the Metroplex, may be reached at 817-447-3872; email: [email protected]. Column audio version at www.speakerdoc.com.