Jim is a native Houstonian who graduated from Waltrip High School in Houston in 1969, and the University of Houston 1973. He received his Master of Divinity in 1977 and his Doctor of Ministry in 1996 from Austin Presbyterian Seminary.

Jim and Anne were married in the Austin Seminary Chapel on August 21, 1976. Anne is a Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Ethics and the Assistant Dean for Interprofessional Education at Baylor College of Medicine. They are the parents of two children, Andrew, and Abbey. In April of 2015, Abbey and Michael were married, and in September of 2015 Andrew and Meghan were married and all are living in Houston.

On December 31, 2018, Jim retired after over 40 years of ministry, having served churches in Galveston, Beaumont, Houston, San Antonio, Pearland, Tomball, Odessa, and Baytown.  Interestingly, one those churches was here at St. Andrew’s where he served as an Associate Pastor from 1981 to 1991. Since his retirement he has served as an Interim Pastor at Faith Lutheran in Dickinson, Joyful Life Lutheran in Magnolia, and Woodforest Presbyterian in Houston. 

Jim’s been writing and singing songs since 1971 and loves sharing them at venues around town and in online song circles.