Rev. Dr. Jacob Kanake

The Rev. Dr. Jacob Kanake was appointed to serve the La Conner United Methodist Church beginning July 1, 2024. Pastor Kanake will replace the Rev. Marcella Baker, who is retiring. Marcella served the La Conner UMC for the previous 10 years.

Rev Kanake’s family includes his wife, Rev Grace, Pastor of Allen UMC, six children, and four grandchildren. He is from the Kenya Methodist system where he served for many years before coming to the USA with his family. Rev Kanake has also served St John and Colfax UMC and churches from other denominations in the USA.

His faith journey begins in Kenya, where as a youth he was already active in church leadership and felt a strong call into the ordained ministry. His parents initially discouraged him because of the low pay for ministers. But he writes: “I would say the call is bigger than what one does for a living. For me, my call defines God's intention for my life. The way I talk and interact with others ought to promote that call. Church ministry has its challenges but God promises to be with me. What is impossible to humans is possible with God.” Since he came to the USA, his “life has transformed from one thing to another,” and he believes God has now called him to serve in America.

Rev. Kanake went on to earn advanced degrees: a Masters at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania; a Doctor of Ministry at Asbury Seminary in Kentucky; and Doctorate in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Luther Seminary in 2014. As a pastoral counselor he worked in chaplaincy for 10 years, including at the Thomson Veran Center, Wilmore Kentucky, University of Minnesota Medical Center, and at Oak Meadows Senior Living.