In the January 2010 issue of Ministry, we informed readers that James A. Cress, ministerial secretary of the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, died. In this issue, we share a more extensive tribute to our colleague and friend. We chose the March 2010 issue in part because it will be distributed to clergy of various denominations and made available to the participants of the Ministry Professional Growth broadcast April 20, 2010, televised live from Pasadena, California—a program close to Jim’s heart.
We dedicate this issue to the memory of James A. Cress.
–Nikolaus Satelmajer, DMin, editor.
–Willie E. Hucks II, DMin, associate editor.
Life sketch
James Andrew Cress was born to Charles C. and Mary Katherine Moore Cress on August 30, 1949, in Jackson, Tennessee, United States. Jim, as he was always called, grew up a pastor’s child. His parents’ church assignments took him first to North Carolina and then to Florida where he spent the rest of his childhood.
As a youngster, Jim was known for his reading marathons. His mother either took him or he rode his bike to the city library at least twice a week, where he checked out the maximum books allowed.
Jim attended Forest Lake Academy, Orlando, Florida, where he graduated with highest honors in 1967. At Southern Adventist University, near Chattanooga, Tennessee, he graduated again with highest honors with a double major in Theology and English literature.
During his college summers, Jim sold Christian books to earn his tuition. During a weekend trip to Orlando with friends, he literally ran into Sharon on the steps of a large auditorium. After that, Jim spent almost every summer weekend heading for Camp Kulaqua, in north Florida, where Sharon worked as a camp counselor to earn her college tuition. Jim and Sharon married on June 7, 1970.
In 1971, Jim and Sharon moved to Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where Jim completed his Master of Divinity degree in 1973. They both worked at various jobs to pay for tuition and living expenses.
After seminary, Jim’s first assignment was in Tampa, Florida. Following their internship, Jim and Sharon worked in evangelism in Florida until 1978, when the Lake Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists asked them to return to Berrien Springs, Michigan, for Jim’s assignment as associate ministerial secretary. In that role Jim and Sharon spent considerable time in Chicago and Detroit, sharing the good news. In 1980, Jim was asked to serve as the ministerial secretary in the Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and in 1983, as the ministerial secretary of the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in Lincoln, Nebraska.
In 1990, after many years of traveling, Jim was keen to settle down and serve as the pastor of a congregation. Pastoring was always his first love. He said preaching to the same congregation every week and seeing the change in the members’ lives was the greatest reward a person could have. In that year, he became the pastor of the Marietta Seventh-day Adventist Church in Marietta, Georgia.
While working full time and taking coursework in brief intensives, Jim earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, graduating with honors in 1993. Jim’s pastoral tenure in Georgia was short. In 1992, he accepted the invitation to serve as the ministerial secretary of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, where he served until his death on November 26, 2009. He served in that position longer than any other individual. He always called himself a pastor on loan to the General Conference. In his role at the General Conference, his congregation consisted of thousands of ministers and congregational elders in the world church.
Jim had a passion for pastoral excellence, working tirelessly and traveling extensively to personally interact with and train pastors and elders. His seminars were legendary and along with the education, he always added flair with his personal stories and anecdotes.
Jim authored several books including Common Sense Ministry, More Common Sense Ministry, and You Can Keep Them if You Care. In Ministry, he wrote 200 monthly columns called, “Pastor’s Pastor.” Jim devoted himself to fund-raising so that pastors of all denominations could have access to the journal. He led out in the annual Ministry Professional Growth Seminar relayed live by satellite to thousands of church leaders worldwide. His passion for pastors in disadvantaged locations to have access to professional books led him to work tirelessly to raise funds for university and seminary libraries and clergy book clubs so they could have books at nominal cost.
James Cress is survived by his wife of 39 years, Sharon Marie Wyatt Cress, his life partner, who for the past 17 years has been the director of Shepherdess International, a ministry to pastors’ wives and families.
Additional surviving relatives include Jim’s brother, Dr. John C. Cress, of College Place, Washington; one nephew, Josiah Heisey; and three nieces, Jana Cress Miller, Jaci Cress Perrin, and Meredith Nicole Cress. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Cress, and his brother David C. Cress.
One cannot remember Jim without thinking about his vast collection of Noah and the ark. The paintings, carvings, castings, woodcuts, drawings, prints, puzzles, and 3-D figures of the Old Testament patriarch and prophet, along with his ark and many animals, served as a constant reminder to him of God’s promise of salvation. His Savior, Jesus Christ, was the focus of his life and ministry. Jim rests safely now, in the ark of God’s grace, awaiting the return of Jesus and the glorious resurrection of all who place their confidence in Christ and His righteousness.
—Adapted from the life sketch given at James A. Cress’s memorial service December 5, 2009. Readers can view the memorial service by visiting http://www.livestream.com/sligochurch.
Tributes
The editors invited colleagues who worked closely with James A. Cress to pay tribute to him.
I am struck by how often people use the word joyful when they speak about the life and ministry of our friend and colleague, James A. Cress. To spend time with Jim and his wife, Sharon, was to know that joy and laughter were indeed threads woven throughout the fabric of Jim’s life.
There is much I could say about Jim’s lasting contribution to God’s cause: his indefatigable energy, his passion to care for the “shepherds of God’s flock,” his endless supply of ideas, and the practical know-how with which he brought these ideas to fruition. But let me honor him instead with just these few words: Jim loved his God and his church, and he served both faithfully and well. The impact of his ministry will live on even as he rests, awaiting our Lord’s return. —Jan Paulsen, president, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
Last time I listened to Pastor Cress, he was teaching about the blessed hope of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ at the Ministerial Council in Mongolia. He enthusiastically invited our ministers to trust in this promise. I admired his willingness to teach and nurture young ministers. His spirit of service and generosity touched many lives. —Miguel Luna, ministerial secretary, Northern Asia-Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Goyang Ilsan, South Korea
It is painful to accept that Jim is no longer with us. We will miss him, but we keep our great Christian hope alive. —Geoffrey Mbwana, president, East-Central Africa Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Nairobi, Kenya
James A. Cress will be remembered as “Jim.” He was dedicated to Jesus and serving his clergy colleagues all over the world. Jim was blessed with an exceptionally bright and creative mind, a robust work ethic, and a warm sense of humor. He was generous, kind, and caring to colleagues, friends, family, and strangers. —Anthony R. Kent, associate ministerial secretary, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
A great loss indeed! Our division benefited from big projects under the leadership of Pastor Jim Cress, such as the book club program, Ministry in French, the Elder’s Digest, and his positive influence during his visits. —Paul Ratsara, president, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Rietvalleirand, South Africa
In 1996 Jim and Sharon gave me a Bible that represented their support of me as a woman using my gifts in pastoral ministry. I will long cherish this gift reminding me to “preach the Word.” —Esther R. Knott, associate ministerial secretary, North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
We have lost one of the best leaders in the Ministerial Association. His passion for the ministry was unhindered, his love for all the pastors will always be remembered, his presentations will never be forgotten, and his inspiring articles in Ministry will always be remembered in the lives of all our pastors. —Houtman Elysha Sinaga, ministerial secretary, Southern Asia-Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Silang, Cavite, Philippines
Jim was more than a colleague— he was a friend; and his positive and constructive influence on pastoral ministry everywhere in our division is so farreaching that it cannot be described or assessed. But the Lord, who gave Jim a special joy in his ministry, which we all felt and were encouraged by, knows Jim’s commitment and efforts. —Bertil Wiklander, president, Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists, St. Albans, Herts, England
Jim insisted we approach ministry intensely and joyfully with an imagination of what could and should be, not the status quo. He modeled a conscience for change in environments that yield painfully. He was renowned for his extraordinary generosity, genuine friendliness, keen humor, and brilliant ability to quickly analyze any situation. He never settled for less than excellence. —Sharon Cress, associate ministerial secretary, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
The ministry of Pastor Jim Cress has been greatly treasured in our field. We will always remember his commitment to God and ministers of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church. —Barry Oliver, president, South Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia
Jim Cress was a committed leader with a passion for pastoral ministry. His energy and compassion for the lost, his burden for providing educational material for pastors worldwide is a legacy that will live on. I will remember his vision and enthusiasm, and his untimely passing reminds us to be diligent in carrying out the mission in anticipation of the second coming of Jesus. —Gerry Karst, vice president, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
James Cress: a man of God, a true friend. Spending time with him made me a better person. I will miss not only him but the part of my own life he inspired. —Janos Kovacs-Biro, associate ministerial secretary, Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists, St. Albans, Herts, England
Jim’s presence among our pastors demonstrated his interest in listening to them. He talked to them, laughed with them, and simply just spent time with them. This strengthened the practical essence of the ministry, of loving one another, and showing interest for one another. —Erton Köhler, president, South American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Brasilia, Brazil
The ministry of Pastor Cress has been a tremendous blessing to our pastors and congregational elders. We found his commitment to the mission of the church to be inspirational. We eagerly anticipate the day when those who rest in Jesus will come back to life, we all will be transformed and be forever with our Lord. —Bruno Raso, ministerial secretary, South American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Brasilia, Brazil
Jim was a friend. He was always the one to make you feel welcome. Jim had a sense of humor and his smile was stimulating. We felt good in his presence and we already miss him a lot. —Bruno Vertallier, president, Euro-Africa Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Berne, Switzerland
Sometimes it is not how long we live on this earth that matters, but how we live and what we did during our sojourn on earth that makes the difference.
It is sometimes difficult to determine how much we have impacted the lives of others. But of all our good or bad deeds on this earth, it is the care, compassion, faithfulness, goodwill, understanding, and concern we show toward our fellow human beings that count the most.
James A. Cress was such a person, and this is why, with these words, I remember and honor him. —Jonas Arrais, associate ministerial secretary, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
Jim was involved in pastoral congresses as a speaker, conducted evangelistic programs, and organized churches. Through his personal example, he gave us a sense of joy and happiness in our ministries. —Artur Stele, president, Euro-Asia Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Darmstadt, Germany
What manner of man was Dr. James A. Cress? To put it succinctly he was
J – just: well-known for fairness and integrity
A – amiable: rich in warmth and grace
M – ministerial: a pastor of pastors
E – energetic: ministry was his all-consuming passion
S – self-sacrificing: Jesus Christ was his Savior —Peter Prime, associate ministerial secretary, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
Jim not only worked tirelessly in training and mentoring pastors, he and Sharon personally demonstrated how to be a loving and caring pastoral couple. They were always concerned about others and their needs. Jim’s boundless energy and leadership skills will be greatly missed by all. —Robert Lemon, treasurer, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
Pastor Cress developed the book club project for Africa that has been a blessing for our ministers. We will fondly remember him. —Gilbert Wari, president, West-Central Africa Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
I thank God for having given us Jim Cress to serve as the “pastor for pastors” at the world headquarters of our church. I deeply admired his friendly, humorous attitude and his unreserved commitment to his work. He will be greatly missed. Nevertheless, we have the blessed hope of a wonderful reunion at the resurrection when our Savior Jesus Christ returns. —Passmore Hachalinga, ministerial secretary, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Rietvalleirand, South Africa
The Southern Asia Division has been blessed by the training Pastor Jim Cress provided to our ministers and was instrumental in promoting and providing ministerial resource materials. We shall miss his spiritual leadership. —John Rathinaraj, president, Southern Asia Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Tamil Nadu, India
Jim and Sharon Cress have been dear friends for many years. Though separated from each other for long periods of time, every reunion was as though we had never parted. His non-negotiable passions and courage in the face of challenges made him one of a kind.
—Walt Williams, associate ministerial secretary, North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
There are people who make a good impression on first contact. Pastor James Cress was one of them. I will always remember him for his humility and passion for the church. —Hector Sanchez, ministerial secretary, Inter-American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Miami, Florida, United States
Pastor Cress made a great impact on our pastors through his pastor’s book club program. This has provided good resources for our pastors in the field. —Alberto Gulfan, Jr., president, Southern Asia-Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Silang, Cavite, Philippines
James Cress was a creative and innovative ministerial secretary. His passion for ministry, his mentoring skills, and vast experience inspired our pastors. His book club initiative is our fountainhead of knowledge. A great motivator, witty, and a ready writer, he challenged us to excellence. —R. Danforth Francis, ministerial secretary, West-Central Africa Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Jim was very instrumental in resourcing and inspiring our pastors. —Israel Leito, president, Inter-American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Miami, Florida, United States
All through his ministry, Pastor Cress established a caring and vibrant pastoral image. This pastor of pastors shaped many pastors and congregational elders around the world. The Lord has used him mightily for His glory. —Measapogu Wilson, ministerial secretary, Southern Asia Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Tamil Nadu, India
Pastor Jim Cress was truly a great servant of God, who brought tremendous blessings to the world church through his sincere and faithful service. —Jairyong Lee, president, Northern Asia-Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Goyang Ilsan, South Korea
Thanks to his friendliness and warm personality, genuine interest in people, generous spirit, and his willingness to help us as leaders, Jim’s work and life blessed the ministers, their spouses, and church elders. We really look forward to being with our friend Jim again when Jesus soon returns. —Gary Webster, ministerial secretary, South Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia
Spiritual, thoughtful, passionate about pastoral ministry, dependable, and sincere. These are just a few words that aptly describe James Cress, who rests in anticipation of the joyful resurrection to eternal life at the second coming of Jesus. —Balvin Braham, associate ministerial secretary, Inter-America Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Miami, Florida, United States
Various ministry colleagues at the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church have shared their memories. Here is a summary of their reminiscences: As his colleagues remember Jim, he was first a man of faith, whose life among us was a reflection of the principles of Christ’s kingdom. His team spirit, pragmatism, words of affirmation, friendship, encouragement, practical support, and heartfelt prayers in our behalf and for his church, will be missed. The model of service set by Jim and his wife, Sharon, set the standard for what God can do through couples who stand side by side in ministry.
Editor's Note: We thank those who have contributed to Jim’s dream of giving the opportunity of team ministry to clergy spouses who desire it. If you wish to contribute to this project, send to:
Ministry Magazine
Attn: James A. Cress
Memorial Fund
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904 USA
