Jim Baker Pastor B.A., Wabash College, 1968 M.Div., Vanderbilt University, 1974 S.T.M., Union Theological Seminary in New York, 1985   jbaker@westminsterva.org

"The church is a community of people who have responded to the call of God in Jesus Christ. They have been given life in Christ and have been called to share life with others. Life in Christ is both God's gift to us and God's demand upon each of us. In the church, we join with others who accept life as a gift from God to be shared in the community with others. Through the church, we respond to God's call to secure and maintain life to those in need. When we disregard the demands of the Christian life, we become complacent and self-centered; when we forget the gift, we become lacking in gratitude and fool ourselves into thinking we are self-sufficient.

Westminster is a diverse group of people who find their unity in Jesus Christ. We celebrate both our diversity and our unity. In our worship, we are reminded of the value of community and our worth as individuals. Through our work, we share good news with others and work with God to advance the justice, compassion and peace of Jesus Christ."

Jim Baker is primarily responsible for leading worship, preaching, moderating the Session, overseeing the work of the staff, and providing pastoral care to members of the church community. He works closely with those in the congregation who are responsible for pastoral care, stewardship and budget, personnel, and administration. He also spends time reading and studying in order to prepare for the preaching and teaching which are key components of his call to ministry. Jim has served the church beyond the local congregation through the presbytery.  He has been on the boards of the Presbyterian Endowment and Education Resource Network (PEER) and the Presbyterian Outlook.  He was the past moderator of the Presbytery of the James in 2002.