James R Sands

Phone (724) 833-1963

2824 Brodhead Rd

Aliquippa, PA 15001

First U M Church
Senior Pastor

Monaca U M Church
Senior Pastor

Bio
Jim Sands is a life-long United Methodist born and raised in Carmichaels, Pa.  Jim served his home church of Carmichaels First United Methodist Church in many ways throughout his life, at various times as a Sunday School teacher, church custodian, president of the youth group, sound technician for worship, SPRC, Nominating Committee, and as the head of the trustees before being called into itinerant ministry.  A 1995 graduate of Carmichaels Area high School, Jim attended California University of Pennsylvania as an education major.

After graduation from Cal U in 1999, Jim served for seven years as a substitute teacher for two school districts.  During that period, Jim also worked for a pizza restaurant, becoming general manager and winning several awards as Manager of the Month, the annual award for excellent customer service, and achieved the highest sales increase in the company in 2008. Jim served for eleven years as the chairperson of the Greene County Church Dartball League and also served as league statistician.

In 2011, Jim began serving in itinerant ministry as pastor at Eldersville UMC while attending Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Upon graduation, Jim was awarded the Robert M. Ezzell Homiletical Prize for excellence in preaching. Jim was then appointed to Scalp Level Trinity UMC in Windber.  He was ordained as an elder in 2017.  In 2022, Jim was appointed to the Aliquippa First and Monaca charge.

Jim has served as the registrar of the Johnstown DCOM, and currently serves as the chairperson of the Butler DCOM.  Jim also serves on COSROW. Jim enjoys mentoring new pastors.  Jim is an avid bowler. He and enjoys studying scripture with an emphasis on history, science, and philosophy.  He is passionate about women’s issues, particularly as an advocate for women as leaders in ministry.

Jim met his wife, Kristen, while counting offerings at church. They were married in 2006 and have two children, Ryan and Molly.  Ryan is ten and was born with cerebral palsy and was diagnosed with autism.  He loves electronics and dinosaurs.  Molly is three and loves pestering big brother.  Kristen is an avid reader who serves as the chairperson of the Conference Disability Concerns Committee.  Jim and Kristen enjoy traveling and visiting museums and historic sites.