Originally from London in Ontario, Canada, James MacDonald was called by the Lord Jesus Christ to preach His Word, the Bible, in March of 1978, while participating in a ministry “competition” on Word of Life Island, in Schroon Lake, New York. Soon after, he began preaching in student ministry contexts and local church services. Within the year, he enrolled in Bible college and prepared for a life of vocational ministry.

With an undergraduate Bachelors in theology (1984), a Masters of Arts from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (1988), and DMin from Phoenix Seminary, (1996), Dr. MacDonald received extensive training in biblical communication. During this time, Pastor James presented and defended his statement of biblical doctrine before a duly called group of local pastors who voted to ordain him “to the gospel ministry of Jesus Christ” in September, 1985. Education for a lifetime of ministry was completed while pastoring in Trenton Ontario, at Trenton Baptist Church; Windsor, Ontario, at Riverside Baptist Church; and Arlington Heights, IL, at a church now known as The Orchard.

James and Kathy wed in 1983. Their three married children, Luke (Kristen), Landon (Bri), Abby (Nick) have blessed them with strong faith in the Lord, a commitment to serving Christ, and eight beautiful grand children (so far ☺ ), all being raised in Christ-honoring homes.