Meet Jordan Dunbar

We recently connected with Jordan Dunbar and have shared our conversation below.

Jordan, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Confidence and self-esteem were (and sometimes still are) things that I struggled with. I never really believed in myself, I never spoke up for myself, and it got so bad that I literally could not look myself in the mirror. The turning point for me in developing my self-confidence was really a push from my mom. She made me one day go and look myself in the mirror, and say five positive things about myself. That first time, it took me 30 minutes to get five things out about myself, and was easily the most awkward interaction that I had in the bathroom in my life! However, it taught me that I have to be on my own side, and that I have to be my own cheerleader. One of my biggest fears is, and has always been, becoming arrogant in any way. I saw confidence as arrogance, and I never wanted to be like that.

After spending time with my mentor, I learned that confidence isn’t something that I have in myself, but in my Creator. When I bash and put myself down what I am truly doing is doubting what God made me to be. I learned that God made me with all of my personality and character, and He loves me because of that. I realized that the confidence and self-esteem comes for an appreciate of the God who made me, came down from Heaven and lived for me, and ultimatley gave His life for me. The faith that I have in who Jesus made me to be is why I can have confidence when He tells me what I can do, I can have assurance in who He made me to be, and why no one can shake that anymore, not even myself. My self-esteem and confidence comes from Jesus who, as Psalm 1139 say “before I for you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalms 139:13-14 NIV).

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My name is Jordan Dunbar and I am a Student Pastor at Smoky Hill Vineyard as well as a Basketball Coach at Denver Christian School in Lakewood, CO. I am married to my beautiful wife of soon-to-be three years, my cute little fur baby Tobi, and our soon to be baby boy that we get to meet in May! I am a rare Colorado Native who loves the mountains, and loves to take frequent hikes! I am a basketball player through and through, and have been playing since I was 5 years old. But more importantly than all, I am a Follower of Jesus Christ who died for my sins and rose from the grave so that we all can be free from sin, and walk in relationship with Him!

Professionally, I work as a Student Pastor at Smoky Hill Vineyard where our mission is to Change lives and Transform communities. I am blessed to be able to work with so many Middle and High School youth, pour into them, and build some unforgettable bonds with them. My heart is for our youth to know that Jesus loves them, and to encourage them to know that they are a part of something bigger than themselves. One way that we do this is through our Saturday Night services at 5 pm @ the Porch Church, our Sunday Night Gatherings (also called Refuge) at Larkspur Church @ 6:30 pm, as well as our Wednesday Night Gatherings at 6:30 pm @ the Porch Church. Here, we connect with students through games, food, and community, while also equipping them, to be a positive force in their communities. We invite anyone Middle-High school to come and visit us, and partner with the vision and mission that we have.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three qualities that impacted me in my journey were grit, humility, and sacrifice.

Starting with grit, I faced many different and difficult challenges in my personal and professional life. What I’ve learned is the most important thing to do in the face of adversity is to persevere or have grit. I’m not talking about “just getting through it” that’s not perseverance. Anyone can just get through something, but to be able to strive through it, keep your chin up, and build from it, you will set yourself apart from so many people, as well as show yourself that you are tougher than you know.

The next piece is humility. I’m not talking about that fake humility that everyone seems to have, but a humility that leads to teachability and growth. I’ve been in a professional setting where I’ve had years of prior experience in that field. It’s easy for me to come on, wave my hand in the air and tell them “Watch how a professional does things.” However, that way of thinking makes you a bad teammate and stunts your growth as a professional. Go into every experience with the knowledge that you still have so much to learn, gain, and acquire from whatever space you are in, and I believe that humility will naturally come from it. The Bible teaches us that those who exalt themselves will be humbled but those who humble themselves will be exalted, so we get to choose which of those two we live.

Finally, sacrifice is one of, if not THE biggest quality that has helped me in my life. No matter what you do or where you start, you will have to make sacrifices to get to where you want to be. However, in your sacrifice, ALWAYS sacrifice for what’s important FIRST!! My dad used to tell me, “A man(or woman) is who he gives his time to.” If you are married, have kids, family, friends who care about you, a community, etc. always make sure that you sacrifice for your home base first. When you say no to things professionally to take care of your first ministry which is home, God sees that! We cannot mix our priorities, “success” is not truly success if it takes you disregarding the people you love to get it. Are there times you are going to miss things, have to step out of things, come home tired, or travel for work? Yes. But when that becomes an everyday habit that you constantly choosing, then you have to ask yourself “Is what I’m sacrificing for me worth my family?” Sacrifice for home base and I GUARNTEE you, you will always find success.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

I recently read a book called Unoffendable by Brant Hanson, and it changed the way that I viewed relationships and anger. All my life, I thought that anger was a tool that was used to get things done, but it’s something that can hurt us and the people around us. I believe that in Jesus, we have peace and that Jesus wants us to stay in His perfect peace. Anger is a choice that I make to operate and dwell outside of the peace that Jesus gives us. Doing that, we end up causing more problems, drama, and negative situations than not. I’ve learned that choosing not to let things bring me to that place if anger and offense don’t show people in my workplace or my home the Love that Jesus has for His people! Ever since practicing what this book taught me, I’ve seen a noticeable change in how I relate to people that I love, as well as people who I don’t agree with. I’d recommend this book to anyone interested, it will challenge and change you!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the__waytruthlife/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordan.dunbar.391
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCagyvZ76pkD6lRAthHz8SRQ
• Other: Other Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCubBvo68YD8eZKuVFEVMXYQ