A Life of Interfaith Leadership and Spiritual Awakening
With Interfaith leaders, Jerry Zehr was featured on the cover of Carmel Monthly Magazine, promoting unity across faith traditions.
Jerry Zehr is an interfaith leader, faith-based speaker, and author of The Peacemaker’s Path: MultiFaith Reflections to Deepen Your Spirituality. A Christian pastor with over 35 years of ministry experience, he has founded four interfaith organizations—the Carmel Interfaith Alliance and the Indiana Multifaith Network—and led workshops on spirituality, self-awareness, and personal growth.
Jerry believes that spiritual wisdom is about awakening to the presence of God here and now—not just in religious traditions but in the way we live with mindfulness, authenticity, and compassion. His mission is to help people deepen their spiritual connection, embrace their sacred calling, and unite the world.
In my blog, I explore the intersection of spirituality and everyday life, how faith shapes our journeys, influences current affairs, and empowers us to engage meaningfully with the world. Read more Here.
From Acting to Interfaith Leadership: Jerry’s Spiritual Journey
Before entering ministry, Jerry worked as a professional actor in Los Angeles and regional theater. His entertainment career included:
🎭 Performing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
🎭 Working with The L.A. Connection, an improvisational comedy troupe
🎭 Performing at The Comedy Club in L.A.
His novel Blurring the Lines is inspired by his experiences in the entertainment industry and explores the question, “What are you willing to sell your soul for?”
Faith-Based Author: The Peacemaker’s Path & The Sacred Rebel
Jerry’s book, The Peacemaker’s Path: Multi-Faith Reflections to Deepen Your Spirituality, brings together wisdom from Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and other world religions.
Each chapter includes:
✅ A daily reflection
✅ Scriptures from different faith traditions
✅ Contemplative questions
✅ A call to action
✅ A closing prayer
His latest book, The Sacred Rebel, inspires readers to face personal and societal challenges with faith, courage, and authenticity.
Poker, Strategy, and the Lessons of Faith
Beyond his faith and interfaith leadership work, Jerry is also a competitive poker player, using the game as a lens to explore strategy, risk-taking, and spiritual wisdom.
🏆 Ranked 29th all-time in poker tournament earnings in Kentucky
🎲 Has played in the World Series of Poker (WSOP), World Poker Tour (WPT), and major tournaments nationwide
One of Jerry’s most engaging presentations explores how poker strategy mirrors the lessons of faith, risk, and personal growth. He is currently developing this theme into a TED Talk, highlighting the parallels between decision-making at the poker table and in life.
Speaking Engagements: Faith, Unity, and Spiritual Growth
Jerry speaks at universities, faith communities, and leadership conferences on topics such as:
✅ Developing Inner Peace & Spiritual Awareness
✅ Living with Purpose & Finding Your Sacred Calling
✅ Faith-Based Peacemaking & Conflict Resolution
✅ Interfaith Unity & Understanding World Religions
✅ Spiritual Wisdom in the Age of AI & Consciousness Evolution
✅ Lessons from Poker, Golf, and Faith: Risk, Strategy, and Transformation
Education and Personal Life
Jerry holds a degree in Speech and Theater from Ball State University and a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Diane, have been married for over 40 years and cherish their two daughters and two grandchildren.