James grew up in California’s Bay Area and later moved east to the University of South Carolina, where he played baseball for the Gamecocks and met his wife, Amy. After college, he was drafted by the San Diego Padres to play professionally. After six seasons of professional baseball, James felt the call to ministry. He earned a Master of Theology in Bible Exposition from Dallas Theological Seminary and continued his studies at The Master’s Seminary and the University of Aberdeen. Before coming to Columbia to serve as Senior Pastor, he spent ten years as an associate pastor with David Jeremiah at Shadow Mountain Community Church near San Diego.

James and Amy have four children: Caleb, Abby, Julia, and Luke.