Appointments effective July 1, except where noted.
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Jim grew up in Tyrone PA and preached his first sermon at his home church when he was 16 years old. When he finished preaching, he felt God's call to ordained ministry. Jim spent the next 10 years "wrestling with God" before going to seminary. Along the way he received a Bachelor of Science degree in public administration from Slippery Rock State College and worked as a local government administrator for the City of Altoona and the Borough of Clarion. He then completed a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary.
While serving in pastoral ministry Jim felt God's call to attend law school and use those gifts to support his ministry with the elderly and at-risk children. He received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh Law School while serving an urban church in Pittsburgh. Jim has served in a variety of ministry settings as a full-time staff chaplain at a major medical center in Washington, DC; executive director of MUSA, a faith based social services agency in Homestead, PA; and pastored local churches in urban, rural and small town settings in the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference.
Jim enjoys serving God in the local church, leading Bible Study, preaching, and sharing coffee and conversation about God's love and grace. Inviting people to receive the hope filled promise of eternal life and the gift of the Holy Spirit inspire Jim's ministry. Jim enjoys walking, reading and spending time with his adult son Michael.
Riverside UMC is located in Roulette, PA. They had been part of the Susquehanna Conference until 2015 when we received them into WPA. They are working at reaching into the community in the colder months they do monthly "Soup Runs" where folks place orders for the homemade soup. Some people come pick it up, but most of it is delivered.
Port Allegany is located about 20 minutes from Olean, NY and 15 minutes from Coudersport, PA. They have been an active ministry partner with the other churches in Port Allegany to care for the needs of the community. They sponsor an annual "Breaking the Chains" event that focusses on issues of addiction and depression. They assist with the clothes closet at the local schools.
First United Methodist Church’s core value is “WE ARE ONE CHURCH!
It is an amazing adventure to step out in faith and offer the hope and healing of Christ. We believe in the transformation of the whole person--physically, emotionally and spiritually--whether they are in our community or the other side of the world.” The congregation is faithful in living out this value through their traditional and contemporary worship services, education opportunities for all ages, youth group, annual mission project, Love Cupboard food pantry, fellowship gatherings and hosting community groups among many other ways that they shine the light of Christ in their community and beyond.