Pastor Jim is a graduate of Word of Life Bible Institute, School of Youth Ministries and holds a Bachelor of Religion from Columbia Evangelical Seminary. He has served in Pastoral ministry for over 20 years and is recognized for his passion and leadership to people of all ages.


Pastor Jim and Donna Nellius

Jim’s wife Donna has been a fully devoted servant of Christ for 25 years and has been greatly gifted by God in the areas of singing, teaching, encouragement and hospitality. She is his greatest support and joy. Jim is the father of 4 children; Lauren, 27; (a dental hygienist) Krissy, 26 (a social worker), Terah Joy 23 (a cosmetologist) and James Aaron 21 (presently attending Bible College).

Jim is ordained with Elim Fellowship, a Nondenominational Bible Fellowship based in Lima, NY. His philosophy of ministry is very close to that of Rick Warren (“The Purpose Driven Church”) and Bill Hybals (“The Seeker Model”). Throughout his ministry Jim’s peers and congregants have recognized him as a gifted preacher, teacher, visionary, motivator, mediator and as a man with the gift of faith. Jim has formulated and led community pastoral prayer teams, social action events, yearly foreign missions teams, church building projects, as well as co-founded and directed a community based counseling and ministry outreach center.

Jim is a gifted minister and sought after speaker with a desire for reaching out and touching those in need of restoration and renewal. His goal is to serve in a fellowship that values “real life ministry”. His passion is to work in an environment where the members are active participants in celebrating God’s presence and power in their lives, where people are free to share their challenges and victories, where praise and worship magnifies the presence of God, where ministry occurs and people seek God’s face in prayer.