Jeff Rock (born ) is a Canadian clergyman, who succeeded Brent Hawkes as the pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto in fall 2017.

Born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario, he came out as gay in high school. He studied microbiology and immunology at McGill University, initially with the career goal of becoming an HIV/AIDS researcher, although he decided during his studies that he instead wanted to become a minister. After completing his seminary studies, he became the pastor of Gaetz Memorial United Church in Red Deer, Alberta, where he worked with organizations such as the Central Alberta AIDS Network, the local Truth and Reconcilaition Commission, the Urban Aboriginal Voices Society and the Red Deer Interfaith Network. He ran as a Liberal Party of Canada candidate for the electoral district of Red Deer—Lacombe in the 2015 election, against incumbent MP Blaine Calkins.

Jeff Rock

He gave his first sermon to Toronto's MCC congregation on July 9, 2017, at a service dedicated to the memory of former Toronto City Councillor Pam McConnell. He officially succeeded Hawkes on October 1. Resigned from his position on January 18, 2023 after a two month leave of absence.

Jeff Rock

Electoral record

References

1980s births

Activists from Ontario

Canadian clergy

Gay politicians

Canadian LGBT politicians

LGBT Protestant clergy

Canadian LGBT rights activists

Living people

Metropolitan Community Church clergy

Candidates in the 2015 Canadian federal election

Alberta candidates for Member of Parliament

Politicians from Greater Sudbury

Politicians from Toronto

Clergy from Toronto

McGill University Faculty of Science alumni

Liberal Party of Canada candidates for the Canadian House of Commons

Ministers of the United Church of Canada

21st-century Canadian LGBT people

Canadian gay men

Jeff Rock