God looked down through time and saw a child whom His favor would be granted and through whom His plan could be fulfilled. That man of valor, vigilance and vision is this pastor, Reverend Aaron James Sr.
He has a tremendous passion for God’s word coupled with a love for God’s people. He has a contagious and charismatic spirit that flows through every facet of his personality and ministry.
Having received his mandate from God, Pastor James obediently fulfills his calling currently as Interim Pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Sterling VA. This man of God is a powerful preacher, a tremendous inspiration to everyone and is totally dedicated to the work of God.
Pastor James started early dedicating his life in service to God. It was evident that God had His hands on him as He guided him through service to Him. Born and reared in Rochester New York and also In South Boston VA, he received love and nurturing from his parents, Mrs. Shirley Jones and the late Frank James, and from members of his extended family where he is the last of eight children. Having been converted at an early age, he developed a passion for singing and God later called him into the preaching ministry. He confessed his calling and preached his first sermon on March 10, 1991, while a senior in high school. He later married the love of his life, SaraEdith Williams James. Pastor James is the blessed and proud father of 6 children, Gabrielle, Amaya, Aaron Jr., Joshua, Eden, and Joy and the proud bonus dad of 1, Andrew.
James graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College where he carried a double major and received his B.S. degrees in Religious Philosophy and Business Administration. Pastor James also holds a Master of Divinity Degree, 3 CPE’s in Hospice Chaplaincy, is certified in Advanced Hospice and Palliative Care, and is just a few credits shy of completing his Doctor of Divinity Degree.
Prior to becoming Interim Pastor of Oak Grove, he served as Pastor of Second Olivet Baptist Church in Syracuse, NY, First Bryan Baptist Church in Savannah, GA and Risen Life Christian Church in Savannah, GA. He has held positions in the local, state and national associations of the National Baptist Convention USA Inc., and has founded many community organizations and served on various boards of directors.
Pastor James has seen the fulfillment of Ephesians 3:20 in his life – “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
Faith, patience, love, humility and influence motivate him to respond to the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19). He believes that only what he does for Christ will last. Reverend James labors in the vineyard for Christ on an on-going basis. He states that he is a born again, spirit-fed and Bible-led evangelistic pastor-preacher who is born of God, engrafted into Christ and is a habitation of the Holy Spirit. God is his light, Jesus is his salvation and he has no fear. He believes in one Lord, one faith and one baptism. Jesus Christ and no other, is the feature, focus and function of his ministry. He is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ because he knows that it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes it.