Pastor James Smith joined Trinity and St. John's in March 2019. He is an ordained minister of word and sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Three Rivers is his second call. His first was at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Madison, Ind. Since coming here, the main things he loves about Three Rivers are the people, the downtown area, the restaurants (obviously), and being able to continue his life-long fandom of Detroit/UM sports teams, now on local tv.
"PJ" loves preaching, teaching, learning, and discussing theology, faith, politics, sports, and life with anyone and esp. when there is something good to eat or drink involved.
His wife Nikki Smith is also a pastor at Lutheran Church of the Savior--Kalamazoo. They met at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, from which they both received Masters of Divinity degrees. While there, Pr. James was recognized for Old Testament and Reformation History studies. He also holds a B.A. in political science from American University--Washington, DC. He hopes someday to win the Water Festival duck race.
You will probably see him around town at Soup Pot, running on the shoulder of some unsafe road, walking the downtown, or, again, eating. Or just contact him if you want to meet with him.
