About Jacob

Thanks for your desire to learn more about Jacob. Here you'll find more information about his music and ministry, and advocacy issues he cares deeply about.

Rev. Jacob Nault is a pianist, vocalist, composer, arranger, and pastor whose unique musical style is shaped by his lived experience with cerebral palsy.

A native of Neenah, Wisconsin, he has distinguished himself by playing piano with only six fingers—with one in use in his left hand—while still achieving a fullness of sound usually attainable only by able-bodied musicians. Praise from newspaper articles published across the United States, as well as an appearance on Classical Minnesota Public Radio in 2016, offered opportunities to tell his story to a wider audience.

Jacob's compositions and arrangements receive acclaim and recognition from conductors, recording artists, and other musicians alike, as a result of several commissions.

His compositions and arrangements have been performed by church and school ensembles nationwide, and several original worship songs will soon be published by the Convergence Music Project, a progressive Christian worship music resource. Jacob's music has also been used by such organizations as the Institute for Theology and Disability and the Wisconsin Council of Churches.

As a performer, Jacob offers music for community events, as well as musical and worship leadership in Christian circles—

Most recently in the United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church (USA), and United Methodist Church. In these events, Jacob blends his unique musical style with his disability advocacy. During his undergraduate studies, he served as the pianist for the campus's weekly chapel services. There, he cultivated worship design experience he frequently puts to use providing musical leadership for youth events and other church functions. He is also active as a session musician for other artists. He can be heard on many new songs by psalmist and singer-songwriter Dr. Richard Bruxvoort Colligan.

Jacob is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and currently serves as the settled pastor of Union-Congregational Church in Waupun, Wisconsin.

In his service to the wider church, he has partnered with the United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries Board to create liturgies, preaching aids, music, devotionals, and other disability resources for the wider church.

Jacob's Academic & Theological Journey

Jacob received his Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy and a minor in Church Music at Lakeland University in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 2017. He received his Master of Divinity in 2021 from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.

ministry

Beloved, you are loved, and you have power to choose love in every moment and every encounter.

— Rev. Jacob Nault

MISSION

Jacob's music, ministry, and disability advocacy works to fill a gap in mainline progressive churches.

There aren't many songs in our hymnals and other music resources that do a good job addressing experiences of disability. In fact, many cherished hymns perpetuate harmful stereotypes which alienate people both inside and outside of our congregations. Jacob's music and ministries endeavor to challenge these assumptions, so congregations, pastors, and musicians have more open-hearted resources to use. Because all worship leaders should feel good about the theology they're sharing!

VISION

Jacob dreams for a world where the songs we sing in worship reflect the diversity of all God's people, unencumbered by racist, homophobic, sexist, or ableist language.

God created all humanity and all creation, and called it good. We are all beloved children of God; our worship and community life should reflect that reality. When you invite Jacob to speak or share music at an event, or write an original song, you can trust that he does so with a hopeful spirit. In this increasingly divided and polarized climate, Jacob endeavors to share music and theology which advances diversity and celebrates the beauty of all God's people.

disability advocacy

Jacob helps churches, musicians, and others think more deeply about disability advocacy.

In today's divided society, disabled people are as vulnerable today as they have ever been. For decades, disabled people have worked tirelessly to gain equal rights.

Jacob is a member at large on the national United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries Board. He currently co-chairs the Disability Theology Committee, which is tasked with writing and curating resources for the denotation's annual Access Sunday observance. Recently, Jacob has been called upon to speak, sing, keynote, and lead workshops on disability issues, such as

Co-workshop presenter at the 2024 UCC Great Lakes/West Central Regional Youth Event on disability theology
Workshop presenter and keynote speaker on disability theology and accessibility at the Illinois South Conference UCC Day of Discipleship
Workshop presenter on disability theology at the 2025 Wisconsin Conference UCC Annual Meeting
Musician and worship leader talking about disability justice at the 2022 Wisconsin Conference UCC Annual Meeting

Among the topics he has discussed with churches:

The theological pitfalls of spiritualizing physical disability
How to make churches and programming more welcoming and accessible
Discussing varied definitions and examples of ableism

Let’s Create Something Meaningful Together

Are you moved by Jacob’s sermons, music, or ideas?
Whether you’re looking for a speaker for your event, interested in collaborating on a creative project, or simply want to connect, Jacob would love to hear from you.

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