Pastor James is a South Jersey guy, originally, growing up in Wildwood Crest, NJ. He was baptized and raised-up in the Lutheran tradition (Praise God!), but it was through the ministry of a United Methodist congregation that he met Jesus in a real and personal way (Praise God again!) Pastor has a burning desire to share with all people the wonderful gift he has received.to simply help others to know that Jesus really loves them, and that He wants to be their Savior and Friend. He is also a firm believer in the Social Gospel (to paraphrase John Wesley, "There is no Gospel but the Social Gospel.no religion but social religion"), and he strongly affirms all the practical love and help for neighbor that he sees flowing out of Califon UMC.

Pastor James went to the Richard Stockton College of NJ, where he majored in Psychology and Elementary Education, and then to Eastern Theological Seminary (now Palmer) in Philadelphia for his Master of Divinity. He looks forward to soon returning to Eastern to pursue a doctorate in Family and Marriage Counseling.

Pastor is blessed with a wonderful and beautiful wife of 13 years, Meredith, and an equally wonderful and beautiful daughter, Sonja (just turned 3). He is sure that they will be as great a blessing to all of us as they are to him. When Pastor James is not serving in ministry, he enjoys spending time with his family (which is a ministry of its own), running outdoors and weight-training, and bird-watching. He also loves a good cup of coffee.

Pastor James is praying for our congregation and for our ongoing ministry, and he very much looks forward to getting to know and love each of us, and to being in ministry together in the Name of Jesus Christ. His sincere prayer is that God help us to "love one another deeply, from the heart" (1 Peter 1:22), and to share the love of Jesus with all people. To God be the glory. Amen.