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Jeff Rock
Jeff Rock (born 1983 or 1984)[1] is a Canadian clergyman, who succeeded Brent Hawkes as the pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto in fall 2017.[2] Born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario, he came out as gay in high school.[3] 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.[3] After completing his seminary studies, he became the pastor of Gaetz Memorial United Church in Red Deer, Alberta,[4] 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.[2] 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.[1] 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.[1] He officially succeeded Hawkes on October 1.[1] Resigned from his position on January 18, 2023 after a two month leave of absence.[citation needed] Electoral record
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