Pastor JR & Yvonne Polhemus


Pastor JR grew up in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, in a non-Christian home where football and wrestling were the center of his life. He graduated from Wesleyan University and started searching for meaning in life. This took him on a circuitous journey of drugs, new age exploration and travel throughout the Middle East. JR became a Zen Buddhist during this time, heading the Monterey Zen Center. At 28 1/2 years old, he accepted Jesus Christ and saw a dramatic change in his life. He received a full scholarship to Princeton Theological Seminary and saw his entire family come to Christ during this time. 

JR pastored his first church in Grand Lake, Colorado, which experienced a mini revival. God moved powerfully during these six years and the church grew from 30 to 250 in weekly attendance, in a town of only 500. From this church seventeen people went into full-time ministry. Since then, Pastor JR ran a Christian high school, became the salesman of the year for a Denver-based company and came to The Rock in 1988. 

The Rock has grown from 70 to 1800 weekly attendees, and thousands have given their lives to Jesus. Many have been healed; many have found community in a safe place where transparency and the move of the Holy Spirit are encouraged. Pastor JR has also ministered in China several times as well as Russia, Nigeria, Haiti, Mexico, Israel, the Philippines, India and Honduras. He speaks often at YWAM bases and around the country at conferences and churches. He and his son Mike lead men’s conferences around the country and he is also corner man and part time trainer for WEC fighter, Wagnney Fabiano. 

Pastor JR and Yvonne live in Castle Rock and have two married children and three grandchildren who all live in the vicinity.


Pastor JR has also produced an exercise DVD called Healthy Living.
It is a 2 part DVD set taught by Pastor JR at the Randy Clark healing seminar. The first DVD goes in depth about nutrition and health and the second DVD is an exercise video which will help you in a practical way. Purchase price of $22 includes shipping and handling.

Purchase DVD here >>