Brian James’ dedication to hometown ministry earns award, bears fruit

Brian James, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary alumnus and native Georgian, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Habersham Central High School, his alma mater, in May 2025, after more than 20 years of pastoring a local church.

James has served Level Grove Baptist Church in his hometown of Cornelia, Ga., for the past 21 years, a tenure that not only reflects his commitment to ministry, but also his devotion to the community that shaped him.

 “Our goal has always been reach this community for Christ the best way that we can,” James explained. “And we’re in a growing community. Our goal over the next three to five years is to be deliberate and help plant some churches, not as satellite type stuff, but to help send out some people in the ministry that can either go revitalize or go plant a new work and support that work.”

James didn’t initially set out to become a pastor. After earning his undergraduate degree in business, he began a career in the poultry industry, building a stable life with his wife, Paula. But God had other plans.

“We got in a small group in a church in the town that we were in, and through that small group God just kind of reminded me what He had in store for me,” James recounted. “So, I answered a call to ministry.”

Following the call, James left the corporate world and began seminary while working and raising a young family, earning his Master of Divinity at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Following this, while pastoring at Level Grove, he pursued a Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching from Southwestern, graduating in 2017.

“Expository preaching changed my ministry,” James said. “… It made a huge impact on my philosophy of how I preach.”

Balancing a growing church and family with his doctoral studies led to it taking a decade for James to receive his degree, during which time, Level Grove experienced significant growth.

“The church just grew like crazy during that time and I was trying to manage that,” James explained. “And, you know, I just had small kids. It was a tough time, but I wasn’t going to quit.”

Founded in 1876, Level Grove is one of the oldest churches in the area, but under James’s leadership, it has remained vibrant and forward-looking. Expanding from roughly 400 members when he began there to more than 2,000 members today.

“Sometimes you get in these churches and you’re busy fighting over the color of carpet and all that kind of stuff, and you forget what we’re supposed to do,” James said, explaining his philosophy on church growth. “And when you start doing what you’re supposed to do, people don’t have time to argue about the things that don’t matter, and the church begins to grow.”

An outward focus has shaped every part of Level Grove’s ministry, with the church leading missions locally and internationally. From building churches in rural towns to training pastors abroad, James has led his congregation to live out the Great Commission. James credits his time at Southwestern for stoking his passion for mission work.

“Being at Southwestern helped me get a global mindset for the Gospel,” James said. “You know, that’s what we’re called to do.”

James’ commitment to discipleship extends to fostering new ministry leaders through an internship program in partnership with the nearby Truett McConnell University that allows students to earn academic credit while gaining hands-on ministry experience as paid interns for the church.

“It’s a great deal for a college kid,” James said. “… They’re leading Bible studies in small groups, and we send them on a trip, a foreign mission trip, that we pay for, and a couple of local trips that they’re part of. It’s a good opportunity for them to get their feet wet and figure out what God’s calling them to do.”

The impact has been tangible. Several former interns have gone on to full-time ministry or further Christian education, including at Southwestern.

On top of these immediate and obvious results, James’ long tenure has allowed him to witness the fruit of seeds he helped plant years prior.

“When you stay somewhere, you see 20 years’ worth of growth, that’s a part of ministry that most guys never get to see,” James said, adding he works alongside lay leaders that he once saw in the church’s children’s ministry, even getting to perform some of their weddings. “… Now they’re deacons and serving and it’s kind of cool.”

For James, longevity has deepened both his faith and his perspective on leadership. That commitment to leadership is what earned him the Lifetime Achievement Award from his high school alma mater earlier this year. The honor, recognizing those who have left a footprint on the community, went to James for his lifelong dedication to and impact in Cornelia, as well as on the high school campus itself.

It’s “because of the impact that our church has had on students in our area,” James said of why he was nominated to receive the award. “Because that’s been a vital part of everything that we do, is children and students. There are a million kids that have gone through that campus and they’re part of our church.”

Even after two decades of ministry, James remains focused on the future by equipping leaders, planting churches, and reaching the next generation. Whether mentoring young pastors, serving on mission trips, or simply being present with his people, James places great emphasis on not just being a pastor, but a servant.

“I believe that the best way to lead the church is to model what we need to do,” James said. “Sometimes I’ll go and dig ditches or whatever they need, and the point of that is being with the people—being with our people and being with other people.”