On Sunday June 14th the Reverend Dr. James R.M. Young leads his first worship service as interim pastor at St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Reno, Nevada.

Jim is a native of Gastonia and Mt. Holly, NC and a graduate of Davidson College with a degree in history. He received a Master’s in Education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education and a Doctor of Ministry from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA with a thesis in theology, faith development and practical ministry. He has been an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) for 35 years beginning as Youth Pastor/Director of Christian Education, Associate Pastor, Solo Pastor and Head of Staff in several churches.

An outstanding preacher and teacher with an engaging dramatic style, he is widely known for making a biblical text exciting through examining the history and culture of the Bible. He is also known for his expertise in church management, being trained in Bowen Family Systems Theory, Myers-Briggs Type Inventory and The Enneagram

He has four grown daughters of whom he is proud, who live in Richmond and Virginia Beach. Dr. Young (or “Jim”, as he likes to be called) has is a lyric baritone and actor. In addition to his musical and stage work, Jim enjoys attending concerts (classical or country, usually), walking, swimming, water skiing, scuba diving, hiking, camping, cooking and reading for pleasure, especially science-fiction, fantasy, mystery and history. He is also a serious Civil War buff, a loyal supporter of ACC basketball, lives for the “final sixteen” , cheers the Carolina Panthers and thoroughly enjoys a good game of baseball.

– taken from The Carillon, the newsletter of St. John’s Presbyterian Church