Jim Wright:

Many of my influences arise from involvement in various ministry and leadership positions in the local church over the years, as well as extensive travels and work with Christians who are rebuilding their nations and institutions in former communist countries (see my Ukraine Trip Report).

My life’s foundation is a vibrant relationship with Christ the Living Word, going back nearly sixty years, in submission to the authority and discipline of Scripture as His written word.

My undergrad degree is in biology, and in the late ’70s I studied apologetics and church history as a graduate student at Westminster Theological Seminary. In the ’80s I was twice elected to local political office and was heavily involved in other forms of elective and legislative politics. I then attended law school and earned my doctoral degree in jurisprudence.

After working for one of the world’s largest law firms in their Washington, D.C., office and then for a boutique firm specializing in environmental law, in the ’90s I formed and built up an international law firm along with several very successful related businesses. That law firm, and it’s associated scientific consulting firm, became the largest practice group in the world within our area of focus.

In 2004 I started experiencing an extended period of chronic fatigue and then intense joint pains, while also becoming increasingly involved in various ministry activities. Because of my health, I decided in 2006 to give up my extensive legal and business commitments. Following several years of confusing health symptoms, I finally was diagnosed in 2007 with systemic sclerosis (also called scleroderma, a rare autoimmune condition). Soon after I also stopped all ministry activities to focus on my health and on a deep, painful but transformational work of grace that God was doing in my life.

As my health continued to deteriorate, I lost nearly everything – my health, my wealth and even my family. It was a Job-like experience, but looking back on it now I would not trade it for the world. Despite much initial turmoil, since then I’ve come to know grace, peace and joy as God’s sovereignty has become ever more real in my life. The Lord did a deep work of transformation, as He renewed his joyous life in me and restored the truly important things I’d lost – like love, friendships and purpose. I also met and in 2010 married a wonderful woman, and daily we experience the wonder of being able to both love and be loved.

The intervening years have been the best of my life, even though complications from my autoimmune condition have slowed me down. As much as possible, I now focus on mentoring others, rather than being on the front lines.

God has used those experiences to allow me to serve Him in new ways that would not have been possible before. I’ve been able to minister and counsel at the local jail, help mentor a new generation of Christians, and have occasionally taught apologetics and theology at a liberal arts Christian college.

I also have often served as a lead resource and advocate for victims of abusive churches and church leaders. By using my legal and local church leadership backgrounds, I’ve been able to successfully investigate, expose and hold abusers accountable, including prison.

To further aid church abuse survivors, I helped form and run Nathan’s Voice, a local victim’s support and advocacy group.

In addition, the Lord has moved me away from the traditional “podium” church and used me to help start many small, simple participatory churches in our area (often in people’s homes but also in unlikely places like inside the local jail), where people can use and develop their gifts as they minister one to another (see Luke 10:1-11, Acts 2:42 and 1 Cor. 14:26).

Crossroad Junction, and my associated short-form blog Plumbline Faith, chronicle my thoughts, experiences and life’s journey as I write about the Kingdom of God, all of life, and the state of the church, society and culture. Through them, I seek to upload a lifetime of service to the King of Kings from the perspective of someone who has been used by the Lord in academia, politics, law, business, the church, ministry and life in general.

To understand some of what I’ve learned during nearly sixty years of following the Lord, see the Fulcrum Declaration. To gain a better understanding of my own personal journey, see I Am Content.

In the meantime, feel free to add your comments or contact me. I have nothing to peddle or sell. I’m just a brother seeking to faithfully serve the Lord with whatever remaining strength and time He graciously grants me.

I choose life, and invite you to join in that journey!

(c) Copyright 2024, James C. Wright. All Rights Reserved.