James is one of the founding Pastors of Grace Church. James was born and raised in the local community, and began his full-time ministry life in Romania as a missionary and church planter from 1992 to 1994. It was while ministering in Romania that James met and fell in love with his lovely wife, Ani. He served as Youth & Missions Pastor of Pacific Hills Church, Laguna Hills from 1997 to 1999. James earned his undergraduate degree from Biola University and his Masters from Westminster Theological Seminary. James and Ani have three children.