Jim was saved in 1978 at the age of 17. After graduating from high school, he attended the United States Air Force Academy. His dream was to be a jet fighter pilot. On Oct. 29, 1980 he was involved in an automobile accident that resulted in him being instantly and totally paralyzed from the shoulders down. For the next three years he struggled with God’s will for his life. During that time, he attended school at the Ohio State University and in April of 1983, through several sovereignly planned circumstances, he surrendered to the will of his Lord, even if it meant spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair. That fall he enrolled at Appalachian Bible College (ABC). When his mother left him there, he had only promised to stay for four weeks. Through God’s marvelous intervention and provision, that four weeks eventually turned into four years. After graduating and spending one year as an intern pastor in Salina, Pennsylvania, God graciously directed Jim and his family back to ABC. There, he served as Dean of Men and on the faculty for 19 years. While on staff at ABC, he earned a Master of Arts degree from Liberty Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Baptist Bible Theological Seminary in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. He also served as the principal and administrator of Greater Beckley Christian School in Beckley, West Virginia for eight years. After dealing with continuing health problems, he retired and moved to Apollo, Pennsylvania where he is currently serving on the elder board at his local church.
God has also blessed Jim with a wonderful family. He met his wife Kathy at ABC and they were married in June of 1987. She served as the Dean of Women at ABC and also taught at Greater Beckley Christian School. They have a daughter, Lindsay, and four granddaughters, Avi, Leya, Anari, Lina and another coming soon. They all have been a wonderful blessing from the Lord.