A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, James holds a Master of Sacred Music degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Geneva College. A church musician for 25 years, James has served Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and United Church of Christ congregations. He enjoys traveling, visiting historic sites, classic movies and biking. James is employed by Summa Health as a Clinical Laboratory Manager.

Personal Mission Statement: “The word “ministry” means the act of serving. It is not a word that refers to something huge, splashy, popular, dynamic, or prestigious. A music minister takes the lowly place, not the exalted place; he does not walk above others, but washes their feet; he does not labor for the applause of others, but for the “well done” of his heavenly Father. Having a ministry does not mean always being noticed, being at the top, or doing something on a grand-scale. As a Christian music minister, it is important to know that we belong to God and that God has a plan for us as a people and as ministers. A true music minister does his work for an audience of One, for the approval of One, and for the love of One, whether that ministry touches few or many.”