Jim Simpson is a native-born Scot who is proud to call Motherwell his hometown. Raised in the Church of Scotland, Jim has a Science degree from the University of Dundee and completed his initial theological training at the University of Aberdeen in preparation for his ordination to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in May 1987. He and his wife, Janice, have two children and as a family they immigrated to the United States in 1996 when Jim was called as the Pastor of the Northminster Church in Roswell GA. Arriving in the USA, Janice found a calling as a High School Special Educator.

While serving at Northminster Jim completed his D.Min. from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur GA, and in 2005 Jim and Janice became citizens of the United States. Jim has also served as the Director of Church Relations at Presbyterian College, Pastor of the Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill SC, the Interim Pastor and Pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in Blue Ridge GA, the Interim Pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Marietta GA, the Bridge Interim Pastor at Johns Creek Presbyterian Church, and Interim Pastor at the Eastminster Church, where a Designated Pastor has now been appointed.

Janice and Jim make their home in Alpharetta GA and enjoy their own two children, their children’s spouses and their four grandchildren, as well as travel, good food and fun. Jim enjoys sports, football (soccer), cricket, rugby and golf. He is a lifelong, and long-suffering, supporter of his local football team, Motherwell Football Club, who play in the Scottish Premier League.

Having reviewed the qualifications of candidates provided to us through Cherokee Presbytery, we found in our two meetings with Jim, a person and a Pastor, with the balance and range of education, skills, experience, personality and enthusiasm to nurture our congregation and lead us through this time of transition and forward into our next season of faithfulness.

Ron Studd (Chair), Mary Bouffard, Linda Jackson, Bill Schalla and Nancy Tims (Designated Pastor Nominating Committee)

From Pastor Jim: I very much enjoyed hearing about the story and hopes of Deer Creek Shores Presbyterian Church from the members of your DPNC. Our conversations and interactions were lively and engaging. Their faith, commitment, care and passion were obvious, and spoke well of your church. In accepting their invitation to serve with and among you as Pastor, I look forward to getting to know everyone and to all that we can do together in this important season of assessment and renewal. At the start of this new chapter for your church, I value your prayers for me and for the future and invite your fullest participation in all that we will look and plan to do and be together.

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