Jerry A Bourgeois' Bio
Born and raised on the west bank of metropolitan New Orleans a true metro-Cajun spending long summers during the teen years working the decks of his Father's shrimp boat. Graduated West Jefferson High School in 1975 joining the workforce as a waiter, bartender and several other restaurant areas while residing on the east bank of New Orleans. Career shift in 1985 to the travel, hospitality and tourism area with extensive travel assignments around the world. Remained there until the mega shift of Hurricane Katrina returning to his family roots and caring for his Grandmother Barbara until her passing in 2008.
Raised Roman Catholic until age 10 when his mother converted to Jehovah's Witness. Baptized in 1970 until In his early 20's Jerry made an escape into the world unable to reconcile his spirituality with sexual orientation. The only way forward seemed to be in a spiritual void staying occupied with the busy work of getting ahead and survival in the world.
At the end of the millennium, 1999 the Mel While novel Stranger at the Gate and the progressive Curriculum for Life at Landmark Education crossed Jerry's path and opened his life to new possibilities. No longer trapped in other people's stories Jerry was open to receive the love of salvation, redemption and its meaning for his life. That openness let him to MCC of Greater New Orleans and his business travel lead him to MCC churches around the country and the globe including Sydney Australia and Auckland, New Zealand. Returning to New Orleans after the nightmare of Katrina Jerry was called back to Big Easy MCC and alongside Dennis is active in the rebirth of New Orleans' and the church.
For Jerry "BEMCC is a powerful and authentic spiritual experience giving me the ultimate blessing of making a difference in community".