| Co-Pastor The Reverend James Splitt |
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Some highlights of my journey, by Rev. Jim Splitt
Mission Statement: "Ride your own ride, share in another's, leave no one behind."
Little did my parents, Joyce & Orville, know I would be labeled a “Baby Boomer” when I was
born in Alexandria, VA in 1947. My older brother Dave preceded me by 16 months. He
and his wife, Martha, live in Washington, D.C. and have two grown daughters. My mom
resides at Village on the Isles, in Venice, FL. My Dad died in Dec. 2007.
I grew up in Arlington and Annandale, VA. Memories of those early years include:
Washington Post paper route, camping, Eagle Scout, wrestling team, Pres. Of Potomac
Area Luther League (I was a Lutheran in those days), HS band – trombone, camping, folk
singing – guitar, canoeing the length of the Potomac river, fishing, trips to WI and FL,
insect collecting and camping. In 1965, I graduated from Annandale HS and headed for
Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.
My decision to go to Concordia was influenced by my involvement in Luther League and an
experience I had during a Youth Leadership Training event when I felt called into the
ministry of Jesus Christ. My family was always involved in church activities which played a
big part in my passion for ministry. I majored in Psychology with a Pre-Sem track. College
(besides academics) included band, wrestling, and preaching in N.D. I spent summers as
a camp counselor in NY at Camp Koinonia.
Camping ministry became a career path as I became the youngest camp director in the
Lutheran Church at Green Wing Bible Camp in Amboy, IL during the summer of 1969. I
went on to direct camps in Virginia, Wisconsin and New York through 1977. During the
years 1969-1973 I attended Hamma School of Theology (Wittenberg Univ.) in Ohio with a
focus on outdoor and leisure ministry. While in NY as Director of Camping Services for
Lutheran Community Services I joined the Presbyterian Church in Bedford, NY and soon
went under care in Hudson River Presbytery. Ordained in 1978, my first call was to serve
as Protestant Chaplain at The Children’s Village in Dobbs Ferry, NY. My interest in
Pastoral Counseling became a new area of focus while studying at the Westchester
Institute for Counseling and Psychotherapy. My mentor through this experience was
Renee Fodor Schwarz, chief psychologist for the Blanton-Peale Institute of Religion and
Mental Health. Renee was a survivor of the Holocaust.
Through encouragement of my new colleagues in the Presbyterian ranks, I sought my first
pastorate and was called to First Presbyterian Church (FPC) in Blissfield, MI (Maumee
Valley Presbytery). Parish ministry fit my “pastoral style” very well. I went on to complete
an M.A. in guidance and counseling at Sienna Univ. in Adrian, MI. After serving in
Blissfield, I received a call from Westminster P.C., an urban church in Toledo. While in
Toledo I took a leave from parish ministry and worked as a pastoral counselor specializing
in ministry to victims of abuse. During that time I served as a stated supply pastor at the
Palmyra and Holloway Churches.
In 1991, I accepted a call to FPC-Glendale, OH (Cincinnati Presbytery). I also became
affiliated with the Professional Pastoral Counseling Center in Cincinnati and completed
requirements for membership in the American Assoc. of Pastoral Counselors. Following
this pastorate, I served a growing congregation in Milford, OH on a part time basis while
also serving as a part time associate for pastoral care and visitation at The Presbyterian
Church in Hamilton OH. Following our marriage in 1997, Kathleen and I decided to seek a
call where we could serve together. We accepted a call to serve St. Andrew PC in
Kimberling City, MO as designated co-pastors. Our next call was to serve the two
congregations in Keewatin and Hibbing, MN where we enjoyed the remote environs of the
North Country. Our most recent call as co-pastors was to FPC in Greensburg, IN.
In each presbytery throughout my career, I have worked closely with the outdoor ministry
programs serving on their respective camp boards. While at the FPC in Glendale, I took
an interest in Habitat for Humanity. This led me to participate in the annual Habitat 500
mile bike ride (www.habitat500.org), to raise money and awareness for Habitat. This
summer I will complete my 13th Habitat 500, and Kathleen will celebrate her 10th
Anniversary ride. Together we have biked over 11,500 miles for Habitat raising enough
money to build more than 1 home.
My favorite hobby is photography. I enjoy making my own prints, competing, and judging
photo contests. Sailing is my favorite sport. In Minnesota I was on a racing team that sailed
weekly on Lake Superior. Kathleen and I love the outdoors and enjoying hiking and
camping. In addition, I play guitar and hammered dulcimer.
Kathleen and I were married on July 11, 1997. We have a blended family of six sons.
Jason, soon to be married to Jan Kummet lives in Minneapolis. Phil, married to Heidi, lives
in Cincinnati. Paul, a PhyEd teacher with a specialty in water sports and tennis, lives in
Loveland, OH. Kathleen’s three sons are Jeff, Josh, and Bill.
We feel a strong Calling from God to share our gifts and passions in ministry. We like to
refer to our leadership style of ministry with the expression “Heart of Staff.” Our vision of
team ministry seeks to celebrate and promote living in the holiness of God’s image.
Mission Statement: "Ride your own ride, share in another's, leave no one behind."
Little did my parents, Joyce & Orville, know I would be labeled a “Baby Boomer” when I was
born in Alexandria, VA in 1947. My older brother Dave preceded me by 16 months. He
and his wife, Martha, live in Washington, D.C. and have two grown daughters. My mom
resides at Village on the Isles, in Venice, FL. My Dad died in Dec. 2007.
I grew up in Arlington and Annandale, VA. Memories of those early years include:
Washington Post paper route, camping, Eagle Scout, wrestling team, Pres. Of Potomac
Area Luther League (I was a Lutheran in those days), HS band – trombone, camping, folk
singing – guitar, canoeing the length of the Potomac river, fishing, trips to WI and FL,
insect collecting and camping. In 1965, I graduated from Annandale HS and headed for
Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.
My decision to go to Concordia was influenced by my involvement in Luther League and an
experience I had during a Youth Leadership Training event when I felt called into the
ministry of Jesus Christ. My family was always involved in church activities which played a
big part in my passion for ministry. I majored in Psychology with a Pre-Sem track. College
(besides academics) included band, wrestling, and preaching in N.D. I spent summers as
a camp counselor in NY at Camp Koinonia.
Camping ministry became a career path as I became the youngest camp director in the
Lutheran Church at Green Wing Bible Camp in Amboy, IL during the summer of 1969. I
went on to direct camps in Virginia, Wisconsin and New York through 1977. During the
years 1969-1973 I attended Hamma School of Theology (Wittenberg Univ.) in Ohio with a
focus on outdoor and leisure ministry. While in NY as Director of Camping Services for
Lutheran Community Services I joined the Presbyterian Church in Bedford, NY and soon
went under care in Hudson River Presbytery. Ordained in 1978, my first call was to serve
as Protestant Chaplain at The Children’s Village in Dobbs Ferry, NY. My interest in
Pastoral Counseling became a new area of focus while studying at the Westchester
Institute for Counseling and Psychotherapy. My mentor through this experience was
Renee Fodor Schwarz, chief psychologist for the Blanton-Peale Institute of Religion and
Mental Health. Renee was a survivor of the Holocaust.
Through encouragement of my new colleagues in the Presbyterian ranks, I sought my first
pastorate and was called to First Presbyterian Church (FPC) in Blissfield, MI (Maumee
Valley Presbytery). Parish ministry fit my “pastoral style” very well. I went on to complete
an M.A. in guidance and counseling at Sienna Univ. in Adrian, MI. After serving in
Blissfield, I received a call from Westminster P.C., an urban church in Toledo. While in
Toledo I took a leave from parish ministry and worked as a pastoral counselor specializing
in ministry to victims of abuse. During that time I served as a stated supply pastor at the
Palmyra and Holloway Churches.
In 1991, I accepted a call to FPC-Glendale, OH (Cincinnati Presbytery). I also became
affiliated with the Professional Pastoral Counseling Center in Cincinnati and completed
requirements for membership in the American Assoc. of Pastoral Counselors. Following
this pastorate, I served a growing congregation in Milford, OH on a part time basis while
also serving as a part time associate for pastoral care and visitation at The Presbyterian
Church in Hamilton OH. Following our marriage in 1997, Kathleen and I decided to seek a
call where we could serve together. We accepted a call to serve St. Andrew PC in
Kimberling City, MO as designated co-pastors. Our next call was to serve the two
congregations in Keewatin and Hibbing, MN where we enjoyed the remote environs of the
North Country. Our most recent call as co-pastors was to FPC in Greensburg, IN.
In each presbytery throughout my career, I have worked closely with the outdoor ministry
programs serving on their respective camp boards. While at the FPC in Glendale, I took
an interest in Habitat for Humanity. This led me to participate in the annual Habitat 500
mile bike ride (www.habitat500.org), to raise money and awareness for Habitat. This
summer I will complete my 13th Habitat 500, and Kathleen will celebrate her 10th
Anniversary ride. Together we have biked over 11,500 miles for Habitat raising enough
money to build more than 1 home.
My favorite hobby is photography. I enjoy making my own prints, competing, and judging
photo contests. Sailing is my favorite sport. In Minnesota I was on a racing team that sailed
weekly on Lake Superior. Kathleen and I love the outdoors and enjoying hiking and
camping. In addition, I play guitar and hammered dulcimer.
Kathleen and I were married on July 11, 1997. We have a blended family of six sons.
Jason, soon to be married to Jan Kummet lives in Minneapolis. Phil, married to Heidi, lives
in Cincinnati. Paul, a PhyEd teacher with a specialty in water sports and tennis, lives in
Loveland, OH. Kathleen’s three sons are Jeff, Josh, and Bill.
We feel a strong Calling from God to share our gifts and passions in ministry. We like to
refer to our leadership style of ministry with the expression “Heart of Staff.” Our vision of
team ministry seeks to celebrate and promote living in the holiness of God’s image.
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