Jim Porter

Pastor

 

Pastor Jim and his wife, Pastor Sharon, made Caldwell their home in August 2003, after six years as Executive Pastor of the Salem (OR) Free Methodist Church. Previous to joining the staff in Salem, he enjoyed a long career in the photo-video industry as Managing Director of The Shutterbug Camera Stores - overseeing their eighteen Oregon stores!

“I was in my late thirties, attending church and yet spiritually adrift,” admits Pastor Jim. “I was unhappy, unsatisfied and unmotivated … like a lot of men in this time of life. It was in a camp meeting service that the call of God became so profound, that I found myself at an altar. I came away with a new infilling of God’s Spirit, and a desire to become an obedient follower of the Jesus I had a new found love for.”

This led to radical life transformation—including, a few years later—a career change to take on the business duties of the growing congregation in Salem. And along that path came a call toward a more direct engagement. Rather than serving the church, Jim’s call was to serve others and in doing this, going wherever God might send he and Sharon; like Caldwell.

During their years in Caldwell, both Jim and Sharon have found joy in their growing engagement and participation in the vibrant Caldwell community. They both serve on the Caldwell “Friends of the Depot” Committee, and Jim serves as a Commissioner on the Caldwell Housing Authority and the Caldwell Urban Renewal boards. “The Caldwell Free Methodist Church—like all churches and all families—enjoys highs and lows, but it’s commitment to Loving God, Loving Others and Serving the World is unchanging.
We are highly committed to the people of Jesus’ church and the people of Caldwell.” This commitment to civic good is often found in their efforts in leading LoveCaldwell, a local ecumenical non-profit agency since 2011.

Jim and Sharon have been married for over forty years, with two children and four grandchildren living in Portland (OR) and Seattle (WA).

Pastor Jim Porter

Sharon Porter

Co-Pastor

 

Sharon came to know Jesus at the tender age of 3.

Prior to her appointment to the Caldwell Free Methodist Church, Pastor Sharon was the Business Manager for the Oregon District of the Free Methodist Church of North America, where she worked for eighteen years; the last few years she was also serving as the Minister of Christian Education for the Salem (OR) Free Methodist Church. Sharon loves the Scriptures and is powerfully gifted as a Teacher.
Taking on a co-pastoring role with Jim has proven to be a “sometimes trying—but mostly wonderful” adventure.

During their years in Caldwell, Sharon and Jim have found joy in active engagement and participation in the vibrant Caldwell community. Their commitment to civic good is most often lived out in their efforts leading LoveCaldwell, a local civic non-profit agency since 2011. In 2016, Sharon felt God’s nudge to back away from a few of her duties within the church and pursue part-time secular employment as a way to further her ministry in the community. This led her to another of her “loves” … the Caldwell Public Library. Sharon works several days a week at the Circulation Desk where she enjoys the interaction with people.

In 2014, Sharon completed the Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage route stretching across five hundred miles of northern Spain. “It was one of those things I’d always wanted to do … without knowing it. The first time I was introduced to the Camino, it was what I knew I’d always wanted to do.” Both Sharon and Jim are planning for their second Camino in 2022, but plan to take it a little more slowly and savor every step.

Sharon and Jim have two grown children and four grandchildren, who live in Portland and Seattle.

Pastor Sharon Porter

Marci Harrel

Worship Pastor

 

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Pastor Marci Harrel