James Taylor

I was born on October 19, 1970 in Grinnell, IA to Tom and Kathy Taylor. We lived in Iowa until 1978 where my grandfather, Elder Dennis Taylor, pastored a Primitive Baptist Church outside of Grinnell. From Grinnell we moved to Comanche, TX and eventually to Crosbyton, TX in 1980 where we attended the Crosbyton Church. Sometime during my teenage years I became keenly aware of my sins and rejoiced to hear the message of God's redeeming grace through the blood of his dear Son, Jesus Christ. Upon my baptism, I enjoyed great peace of mind and eagerly took my place in the church. I was 19 when I first began to struggle with a burden to preach. Elder Steven Bloyd asked me to introduce the services several times but I was hesitant to make mention of my inner struggle. I soon went back to college and did not begin to speak again until after my graduation in 1994. After graduation, I moved to Ripley, MS to teach at the Ripley School and joined the Ripley Church, where Elder Mike Strevel pastored. After moving to Mississippi, I started to struggle with a burden to preach again. In September 1995, the church began to call upon me to speak once or twice a month and the following year they voted to liberate me.