Revering The Word
Helping people encounter the whole counsel of God
through chapter-by-chapter Bible teaching
About the Ministry
Revering the Word exists to help people encounter the whole counsel of God by teaching the Bible chapter by chapter. Through audio, written resources, and teaching events, the ministry aims to bring clear, context-faithful biblical teaching to the world.
Our Mission & Statement of Faith
Our Mission
"Equip believers to be fruitful"
Our desire is to equip believers through the teaching of God's Word to live purposeful, fruitful lives so they may grow in using their unique giftedness to come alongside their church and others in the lifelong journey of faith.
"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ..."
— Ephesians 4:11-12
Statement of Faith
1. We believe the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God and the authority for Christian faith and life.
2. We believe in one God, the creator of all things who is eternally existent in three persons: The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross, a sacrifice for our sins according to the scriptures. He rose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven.
4. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells, guides, instructs, prunes, and empowers the believer for Godly living and to carry out the Great Commission.
5. We believe that the blood shed of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only grounds for forgiveness, justification, and salvation for all who believe.
6. We believe in the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7. We believe that believer baptism, although not a matter of salvation, was consistently demonstrated by Jesus and his Apostles and that believers today should be encouraged to prayerfully consider this act of honor and obedience to Jesus.
About Jay Cavaiani
Jay's Testimony
Pastor Jay was raised in a casual, churchgoing Catholic family. In his late teens, he drifted from church altogether and became absorbed in the world's pursuits. After marrying Kelly in 1995—and still an unbeliever—Jay began seeking God for the first time in his life.
God graciously brought people into his life who pointed him to Christ. Jay began reading the Bible on his own and felt the Lord stirring his heart—even waking him in the night over time to watch the six-hour film Jesus of Nazareth.
In the fall of 1996, just ten months into marriage, Jay and Kelly began attending a Bible-believing church connected to "Evangelism Explosion" (EE). That October, an EE team visited their small home in the Wisconsin woods and faithfully shared the gospel. That night, Jay and Kelly received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Within a few years, Jay and Kelly themselves joined Evangelism Explosion and began watching people come to Christ firsthand. Jay quickly became a trainer, and then a trainer of trainers. Soon he was leading men's ministry, couples groups, and youth ministry.
In 2003, a pastor sat down with Jay at a train depot café and asked if he had ever considered vocational ministry. Jay had—but had never spoken of it. That conversation became God's confirmation. Soon after, Jay left a successful career in real estate sales and land development to pursue full-time ministry.
Education
Jay studied Psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, receiving a Bachelor's degree. In 2003, as he transitioned toward ministry, he began graduate studies in Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. After years of ministry, coursework, and raising a family, Jay completed and earned his Master's degree in Theology.
Church History
In 2009, Jay and a small group of believers planted a non-denominational Bible church, meeting first in an elementary school. After many years in rented spaces, the church purchased a set of buildings in Genesee Depot, Wisconsin, in 2016.
Remarkably, the smallest building—the historic train depot—was the very place where Jay was first asked about entering full-time ministry. God is good.
Beginning in 2023, Jay expanded his teaching ministry online through Revering the Word, teaching through the entire Bible chapter by chapter.
In the fall of 2025, following God's leading, Jay stepped out of his pastoral role to focus fully on bringing God's Word to the world through this ministry.
Family
Jay has been joyfully married to his wife, Kelly, for 30+ years. They have three adult children. Pastor Jay loves hiking and is an avid golfer. He and his daughter Abby are two-time Wisconsin Father–Daughter champions.
Jay's Theological Emphasis
Jay's teaching is rooted in Biblical Theology: Scripture is allowed to speak without being forced into a doctrinal or denominational lane. It begins with revering the Word as Holy Spirit-breathed, exalted, and full of truth and power. From there, he asks what the original author meant in his historical setting for his first audience, then compares that passage with the rest of Scripture so the whole counsel of God shapes a clearer understanding.
His book, Revering the Word, emphasizes this valuable approach and more. It is planned for release before the end of 2026.
Biblical Theology vs. Systematic Theology
Biblical theology differs from systematic theology in focus and method.
In Jay's words, systematic theology seeks to organize biblical teaching into a topical system or set of doctrines. Good systematic theology begins with careful biblical theology—letting Scripture speak in its context—then forms summary statements about what the Bible teaches.
The challenge is that different theologians often create different systems. At times, system-makers may place too much weight on their summaries, giving less emphasis—or even ignoring—passages that challenge their conclusions. Scripture never grants us permission to highlight some passages while overlooking others.
Biblical theologians, by contrast, are committed to allowing the entire counsel of God to shape their understanding. Because the priority is Scripture itself—not a doctrinal summary—biblical theology more readily acknowledges limitations, corrects errors, and embraces the full testimony of God's Word.
"God's Word is inspired. Our summaries are not."
Therefore, Scripture must always have priority over systems.
Why Study with Revering the Word
Verse-by-Verse Audio Teaching
Walk through the entire Bible chapter by chapter with clear, verse-by-verse audio teaching. Every episode unpacks historical context and Scripture’s original meaning to help you understand and apply the Word.
Guided Bible Reading Plans
Choose from 3-year, 1-year, or 1-month Bible reading plans paired with daily podcast guides to read through Scripture at your pace—advancing Revering the Word’s core goal of making known the whole Word.
Easy Chapter Access
Jump directly to any chapter in the Bible when studying a specific book, preparing for small group study, or seeking clarity on a passage. Instant search and clear organization make daily Scripture study seamless.
Efficient but Substantive
Most daily audio episodes run under 20 minutes—concise enough for daily routines, yet deep enough for true Bible study. Complex chapters expand as needed to ensure faithful, unhurried explanation.
Start Your Journey Through God's Word
Join us in reading through the entire Bible with clear, faithful teaching to guide you every step of the way.