Rev. Dr. James Ellis III

Pastor James was born in Japan and has called many places home—PA, WV, MD, TX, DC, GA, MI once before, and, most recently, four pandemic-laden years in Canada. He began at Maplewood in 2023 and loves connecting with people from all walks of life. Ordained in the Baptist tradition, he will invite you to say “Amen” during his sermon and will often reference contemporary culture to help everyone better apply the Word of God. As a graduate of Western Theological Seminary (D.Min.), Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, and the University of Maryland (B.A. in African American Studies), he’s grateful to have had mentors like James E. Massey, Eugene H. Peterson, M. Craig Barnes, and Judith H. Paterson. Pastor James writes a lot. His books include Dysfunction in the Name of Jesus: Confronting the Idolatry of Pastoral Workaholism, An Inward-Outward Witness: Suffering’s Role in Forming Faithful Preachers, and Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil: Stories about the Challenges of Young Pastors. His next book, “In Those Days” as Today: Preaching through the Book of Judges, a collection of sermons preached at Maplewood, will be released this fall, with, Lord willing, All Brakes, No Gas: Addressing the Erosion of Pastoral Work Ethics to follow in 2026. Beyond work, Pastor James spends a lot of time with Renata (his wife of 18 years), going to the gym, practicing photography, and bracing himself for seasonal battles with snow and squirrels—both of which test his patience. Pastor James can be reached at james@maplewoodrca.org