Our Team
Jackson Hankey - Pastor/Elder
Jackson Hankey grew up on a family farm in Park River, ND. After High School he attended North Dakota State University to study Agricultural Economics and to play football. Although Jackson had grown up going to church, it wasn’t until he began reading the Bible in college that he truly understood the gospel and experienced the saving grace of God. Almost immediately after being saved, Jackson felt a strong burden to preach the gospel, make disciples of Jesus, and pursue Pastoral Ministry.
By God’s grace, Jackson was quickly led to join River City Church in Fargo, ND, where he served for several years as a member and a Pastoral Resident. It was also during this time that Jackson received his formal theological education, gained much of his ministry experience, and learned to deeply love the local church. In June of 2026, River City is sending Jackson, his family, and several others to Grand Forks in order to plant Christ Redeemer Church. Jackson looks forward to serving the church through the preaching and teaching of God’s word and the discipleship of church members.
Since April of 2022 Jackson has been married to his lovely wife, Mikayla, and together they have a one-year old son named Theodore.
Josh Wayt - Pastor/Elder
Josh grew up in central Florida. He came to know Christ during his college years through a campus ministry that emphasized one-on-one discipleship as a primary means of teaching the gospel.
His wife, Kate, is a mental health counselor who specializes in caring for children and their parents. Together, Josh and Kate are passionate about glorifying Christ and equipping others for ministry through relational discipleship and providing biblical counsel and care.
Before joining Christ Redeemer, Josh served as an Elder at River City Church in Fargo. Josh and Kate have three children. As a family, the Wayts enjoy opportunities to join creation in worshiping God, often spending time outdoors camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking.
James Kaczor - Pastoral Resident
James grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and came to faith in Christ while attending NDSU through the ministry of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). After experiencing the transforming power of the gospel in early 2020, he developed a burden to see others come to know the same life-transforming, sin-forgiving, and joy-producing gospel. Upon graduating from NDSU, James completed his theological training at River City Church while serving on staff with FCA.
After three and a half years with FCA, James is excited to serve at Christ Redeemer Church as a Pastoral Resident. He is passionate about helping people know and enjoy God and all that He has done for them in Christ. James also looks forward to encouraging and equipping the body of Christ in Grand Forks as they seek to make Christ known among those who do not yet believe.
Shortly after coming to faith, James married his wife, Gracie. Together they have two precious children, Lydia and Silas.