About Me
“The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
— Galatians 2:20
Hi, my name is Jay Klein, and I am truly glad that you have found your way to this website.
Before I invite you to explore further, I think it is only right that I share a little about who I am and what Christians In Action is all about.
I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and had the blessing of growing up in a nurturing family environment. However, we were not particularly religious, and it was only much later in my life that I came to faith in Jesus Christ.
My faith journey unfolded over many years; it did not happen overnight. While each moment along that path is important and dear to me, sharing the full story is perhaps best for another time. Suffice it to say that God, in His mercy, and through the power of His Word, used faithful believers and a local church community to open my eyes to the truth of the good news of Jesus — His birth, His perfect life, His sacrificial death on the cross, and His victorious resurrection.
My home church community in Cleveland will always be special to me. It played a profound role in my faith formation. Through the preaching of God's Word, faithful discipleship, and genuine Christian fellowship, I began to see what it truly means to follow Christ. I experienced firsthand how God works through His people — the body of Christ — to teach, encourage, correct, and build one another up in the faith.
This kind of commitment to evangelism and discipleship is very much needed in the church today. In a world where many people are searching for truth, hope, and meaning amid brokenness and uncertainty, the church — ordinary believers like you and me — has been entrusted with the greatest message ever given: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a message that is crying out to be heard, and it must be proclaimed clearly, faithfully, and without compromise.
This ministry exists because I believe that growing in faith is not something we are meant to do alone. Scripture teaches that we are members of the body of Christ, called to walk together in faith, encouraging one another, bearing one another's burdens, and helping one another grow in the knowledge and love of God.
It is from these convictions that Christians In Action was formed. The purpose of this ministry is to encourage believers in faithful discipleship, to proclaim the Gospel clearly, and to help foster genuine Christian community rooted in the truth of God's Word.
About Christians In Action (C.I.A.)
For more than 25 years, I have had the privilege of serving in ministry leadership — as a parish pastor and in ministry development — across Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, and most recently the Chicagoland area. During that time, I have watched the church wrestle with an important and ongoing question: how do we faithfully bring the unchanging message of Christ to an ever-changing world?
It isn't always easy. In many ways, the church is still trying to 'land the ship' when it comes to relevance and engagement. My conviction is that the answer isn't gimmicks or trends. What people are really searching for is truth, authenticity, community, and the transforming power of the Gospel.
Christians In Action exists to equip, encourage, and empower believers to bring the message of Jesus to those in their sphere of influence — people who may never walk through a church door.
As Christians, we also need to recognize that we cannot do this alone. To be fruitful in our discipleship, we must remain grounded in the Word, encourage one another, learn from one another, work together, and stay united in purpose.
We have work to do — and we do it together. And for that reason, Christians In Action was developed.
Here's what I know: Christian ministry is hard. It can be lonely and discouraging for pastors and lay leaders serving in congregational life. There are rarely enough volunteers, resources, or interest in doing the work of kingdom building — sharing the Gospel, helping people come to faith in Christ, or reconnecting those who have drifted away.
At the same time, developing a realistic budget for evangelism and discipleship training is always a challenge. Most congregations today are small to medium sized, often between 150 and 400 members — with declining or aging membership. Many churches are constantly searching for the 'magic formula' that will lead them into the promised land of church growth and renewed mission.
Christians In Action helps Christians rediscover Biblical faith, practice active discipleship, and build churches that pass the faith to the next generation.
Over the years, I noticed a common theme in many congregations I served and worked with. Faithful pastors and committed lay leaders were doing their best, yet many felt discouraged and unsure how to move forward in a culture that seemed increasingly indifferent — or even hostile — to the Christian faith.
I realized that many believers were longing for deeper discipleship, stronger community, and a clearer understanding of how to live out their faith in everyday life.
That's why after more than 25 years in parish ministry, mission work, and denominational leadership, I have decided to bring a unique set of experiences and skills to further the growth of God's Kingdom.
Over the years, I have taught and led seminars for hundreds of Christians — equipping and encouraging them in their faith and helping them bring the Gospel into their own communities and spheres of influence.
Here is what else I know.
We are witnessing a growing decline in how our culture treats one another — both in words and in actions. In this environment, Christian ministries must be prepared to clearly proclaim a call to repentance and faith in Christ, both within their congregations and in the communities they serve.
Catchy ministry slogans and special programs are not enough. People today are searching for a deeper and more authentic spiritual life. Teaching the full measure of God's Law and Gospel as the center of our discipleship practices follows the Biblical mandate to call people to repentance, faith, and renewed life in Christ.
That conviction is what led me to begin Christians In Action.
My passion is to help individuals, groups, and congregations develop a lasting path of discipleship — not simply to increase weekly attendance, but to cultivate a holistic culture of faith that can be passed from generation to generation.
The Mission
The ministry of Christians In Action exists to encourage believers to restore and renew their Biblical faith, practice active discipleship, and live the Christian life faithfully in community.
Building one another up in the faith is Job #1, and C.I.A. is dedicated to that purpose.
I invite you to explore Pause & Pray, a page on this web site created to provide spiritual nourishment and inspiration for your daily walk with Christ. While you're here, consider subscribing to The C.I.A. Files, my free weekly newsletter, offering practical guidance and insights to help you grow as a disciple and live out your faith.
Whether you are a pastor, church leader, or any believer seeking to deepen your spiritual journey, The C.I.A. Files is for you. Each week, you'll receive reflections, tools, and encouragement designed to strengthen your relationship with Christ and equip you to impact your fellowship and community.