Executive Director - Jim Wilken

REV. Jim Wilken served as a Presbyterian pastor for 13 years, during which time he worked for denominational renewal as a leader with the Confessing Church Movement and the Constitutional Presbyterians Committee, as well as actively participating in the work of the New Wineskins. Jim has also worked as an administrator and teacher in private Christian Education.

About this series Jim says,  At a time when the institutional church has lost its bearings, knowing what Christ did, and following His example cannot be overstressed. The Church is Confessional by its origins, Peter having been the first to declare of Jesus,  Thou art the Christ, and Pentecostal in its power, having in no ways relinquished the Holy Spirit since His outpouring upon the first believers in Jerusalem. There is passion and power to be recovered in knowing and doing what Jesus did. 

A graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey, Ball State University, and Princeton Theological Seminary, Jim spent twenty years in public education and human services before entering full-time ministry. Jim and his wife Pam and their two children live in Marion NC, surrounded by Gods beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, where they love to hike and go birding. Jim will soon publish Yet Will I Trust In Him, a devotional from the text of the book of Job.

Board of Directors

Rev. Steve Strickler, President - Steve is an ordained minister of the Word and Sacrament, currently serving as Director of Christian Education and Youth and Family Ministries at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Lenoir, NC.

Dianne Neal, Treasurer - Dianne also served as a Deacon, has led Bible studies and Sunday school classes, and developed congregational CARE Team ministries.

Rev. Philip Steppe - Philip has been a pastor in Marion for years after a career in industry, and currently serves the New Covenant Church.

Lincoln Walters - Lincoln currently holds the position of Associate Head Basketball Coach at Montreat College. Prior to taking the position at Montreat Lincoln served as Administrator of the Marion Christian Academy. Lincoln has maintained active involvement in youth ministries for many years.