In late 2010, after two decades of full-time local church ministry, Jim sensed his heart for ministry changing. Shortly after God called Jim to resign his church position and launch a para-church ministry for men. He began meeting with 15 men in a coffee shop for Bible study to test God’s call.
The response was so widely successful that in 2012 Jim and his wife Shanna took a step of faith and founded Men in the Arena (www.meninthearena.org) with their mission to build an army of men who are becoming their best version in Christ, and changing their world; because when a man gets it—everyone wins.
Since those early morning coffee shop gatherings, Men in the Arena has reached hundreds of thousands of men from nearly 100 nations around the world through the Men in the Arena Facebook forum, Men in the Arena Podcast, and weekly Equipping Blast.
Jim is a nationally sought after keynote speaker, author, and internationally known podcaster whose passionate proclamation of God’s word, relational humor, and epic story telling skills will keep you riveted to the edge of your seat.
Jim has written nine books, including the popular Field Guide: A Bathroom Book for Men (FREE E-version) and five-volume Man Card Series designed specifically for Virtual and Local small groups. His newest book, Strong Men Dangerous Times: Five Essentials Every Man Must Possess to Change His World will be released this fall.
Jim lives in McMinnville, Oregon with his wife and best friend since August 1, 1992. His desire is to live life to its fullest, hunting with adult sons James, Darby, and Colton, scuba diving, exercising , and tropical vacationing with Shanna, and listening to men share their story over a Cafe Americano with light heavy cream.