I’m Jim Tilley, Minister of Discipleship!
No, I’m not real big on titles, but I mentioned mine for an important reason: it’s how God got this job for me!
Over twenty years ago, our church proclaimed that it was seeking a “Minister of Discipleship”. That got my attention. Any church Spirit-led enough to put that kind of emphasis on Discipleship must know what it’s doing! So I came to our congregation in July of 1989 with a vision for discipleship: enabling people to grow radically deeper in their life and love for Jesus Christ and one another. It has been – and continues to be – a great ride together! And there is so much more to come!
While I’m known around here as the “California boy”, I was actually born here in the Midwest: Kansas City, Missouri, in fact. I grew up in New Jersey until age 13, at which time our family moved to Fullerton, California: yes, next door to Disneyland! I was raised in a Presbyterian church, and was pretty thoroughly bored to tears by the whole deal, until in October 1969 I went to a Billy Graham crusade and realized that God wanted not to dull me to death, but love me to life! Graham spoke unforgettably about having a personal relationship – a love-filled friendship! – with God as a real Person if I would only receive Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. I did, and began to discover His healing, astonishing love in a way I never knew existed!
My High School Youth Fellowship changed my life. They loved me with the love of Jesus: when I loved myself, and when I didn’t – to put it mildly! It was in the midst of this group I found my call into ministry: I wanted everyone to discover Jesus & the abundant Life He promised. While my main call at First Pres is Adult spiritual life and ministry, in my heart I’ve always been about an inch away from being a youth pastor! I LUV our teens! And our children!
From 1974-78 I majored in psychology at Stanford University. I also majored there in my fine wife Sherri; we married in 1982 (that’s 27 years. What a strong and heroic woman!). For ministry I completed Fuller Theological Seminary’s Masters of Divinity and Doctoral program in clinical psychology.
Sherri and I have two amazing sons: Our native Californian David was born in 1987, and will graduate in 2010 from Trinity Christian College with a degree in Marketing and Business. Perfect career choice: he could always talk us into just about anything. Jonathan was born (here!) in 1989, and is at our Alma Mater pursuing a degree in Computer Science. Also a perfect career choice; his fingers were on a keyboard from about the time they could move.
Hobbies? A lifetime of adventures with my family: camping, biking, card & board games, hiking; exploring many places, including Chicago, Starved Rock State Park, and Galena.
I’m solid on the unconditional love of Jesus. The greatest joy I have on earth, right after my family, is helping people discover the endless, healing, empowering wonders of friendship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Thrilled to be here for you!