The Heart of Compassion: Jason Storbakken and His Mission in Manhattan
A Gray Morning in Manhattan
On a gray Monday morning in Manhattan, Jason Storbakken’s smile embodies warmth amidst the bustling city. We meet at a quaint coffee shop at the intersection of Bowery and Prince, conveniently located across from The Bowery Mission, where he dedicates his work as a chaplain. Today, Jason has just led a chapel service attended by about 70 unhoused individuals, guiding them in heartfelt prayers and meditations. His daily ritual includes biking from Brooklyn to the Bowery, ensuring that his congregants are nourished both physically and spiritually.
The Philosophy of Mutual Transformation
“This place is for mutual transformation,” Jason explains, referring to The Bowery Mission, one of New York City’s oldest nonprofits. With deep conviction, he says, “Everyone is getting saved one way or another.” This mission, grounded in compassion and community, illustrates how such spaces foster not just individual healing but collective growth.
Roots of Faith and Resilience
Jason’s journey into faith can be traced back to his childhood, rooted in his mother’s resilience. Born to a 16-year-old single mom, he navigated life with challenges from an early age. His father, largely absent due to his own youth, set the stage for a childhood filled with instability. Yet, it was during weekend visits to his grandparents that Jason first observed love in action—a love that was not only accepting but also imbued with rich discussions about religion and politics, differing viewpoints, and mutual respect.
“I didn’t enjoy it much, being a poor kid with a single mom living in a trailer park,” he shares, reflecting on his experiences at Oakhill Bible Baptist Temple, where he often felt out of place. That feeling of disconnection contrasted sharply with the loving atmosphere his grandparents created, one where debate flourished without rancor.
Healing Through Heritage
Storbakken’s ancestral history plays a significant role in shaping his identity. His grandfather was Mennonite Brethren, and the stories passed down through generations provided him with a sense of rootedness during tumultuous times. Even when he was homeless with his mother, he found solace in the legacy of faith that flowed through his veins.
Leaving home at 17, Jason’s path led him to wander and explore. After a stint in a cheese factory and backpacking across continents, he experienced a baptism in India at one of his uncle’s missions. Yet his quest for spiritual fulfillment remained elusive.
A Life-Changing Experience
A pivotal moment occurred when Jason found himself in South Korea, where he had travelled to teach English. An unexpected encounter with a drug-trafficking colleague led to his arrest after failing a drug test, catapulting him into a South Korean prison. It was here that the biblical tale of Jephthah resonated deeply with him, shedding light on his life’s complexities.
“I realized I had my own story of being displaced,” he recalls. This revelation ignited a commitment to live out his faith authentically, prompting a return to the U.S. and a renewed devotion to spiritual exploration, ultimately drawing him to Brooklyn.
Spiritual Awakening and Commitment to Community
In Brooklyn, Jason had a spiritual encounter on a train that felt like a baptism in the Holy Spirit. It transformed him, allowing him to genuinely embrace the teachings of Jesus. When he excitedly shared his experience with his girlfriend, Vonetta, she thought he had lost his mind. However, three months later, she, too, experienced a profound spiritual awakening. Their life together—now encompassing 18 years of marriage and two children, Zipporah and Elgin—reflects their shared journey of faith.
Not long after, feeling an undeniable call to ministry, Jason enrolled at Union Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Divinity and later a Doctor of Ministry, focusing on a liberation theology that emphasizes rest and spiritual renewal.
Building Bridges Through Peace
Beyond his role at The Bowery Mission, Jason also directs the Brooklyn Peace Center. This community organization emphasizes peacebuilding by fostering connections through compassion and understanding. “The decline of the church,” he asserts, “isn’t about aging congregations. It’s about the Spirit moving into new spaces—cafés, galleries, community centers—where authentic connections happen.”
In his book, Dhammapada: A Sacred Path Toward Liberation from Harm Cycles, he underlines the importance of inner peace and healthy relationships as catalysts for broader societal change.
Witnessing Miracles
Jason’s unwavering belief in miracles is illustrated through his relationship with Lori, a woman he met at The Bowery Mission. When he encountered her in a dire state, he urged her to seek help. Though she initially requested only a prayer, Jason prayed earnestly, unsure of its impact. A month later, Lori returned transformed—clean and walking upright, attributing her healing to his prayer.
“It was her faith that initiated her miracle,” Jason reflects. This deep-seated belief in both human resilience and divine intervention fuels Jason’s mission in Manhattan.
A Daily Practice
Each day, as he bikes through the city, Jason’s prayers intertwine with the complexities of life—brokenness and beauty coexist, and he remains steadfast in his belief that restoration is possible for the unhoused population he serves. His faith, a testament to resilience amidst chaos, tells the story of a man devoted to nurturing the spirit of community, fostering mutual transformation, and believing in the promise of miracles.
Through his life and work, Jason Storbakken exemplifies how faith and compassion can weave through the fabric of urban life, creating spaces of hope and healing for all.
