SERMON:Called To Community

Jim Singleton

Jim Singleton was born in Oklahoma into the home of a Presbyterian pastor, where he was instilled with the deep love of Jesus Christ. Active in the life of the church ever since, Jim is now the Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church.

Jim\'s calling to ministry emerged in high school, intensified during his undergraduate years at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, and became clear while he worked as a social worker for the state of Tennessee. His seminary training began at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts, and concluded in 1983 at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia.

In 1983, First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio, Texas, called Jim as an associate pastor for evangelism and young adults. It was here that his love of and curiosity about the field of evangelism emerged. That love eventually propelled Jim to Boston University in 1988 for further study in church history, with a focus on evangelism and mission, especially among Presbyterians.

In 1991, the Singletons moved to Spokane, Washington, where Jim was called as senior pastor of Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church, on the campus of Whitworth College. While there, Jim also taught regularly in the religion department.

In 1999, after eight years in Spokane, the Spirit called again, and the Singletons moved to Austin, Texas. Jim has pastored Covenant Presbyterian Church, a congregation of nearly 2,000 members, while also teaching as an adjunct professor at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Sara Singleton is also the child of a Presbyterian pastor. After working as a registered nurse for 20 years, Sara heard the call of God through the church and has pursued a Master of Divinity degree while in Austin. She is deeply interested in the area of worship and is the producer of a daily devotional CD, entitled “Hearts on Pilgrimage,” combining scripture, music and prayer to trigger time with God. Jim and Sara love mountains and hiking and have wide-ranging interests and curiosities.

Jim and Sara have two children. James III is 22 and will graduate from Whitworth in May in communications. Rachel is 19 and works at an early childhood development center in Austin.