About Try JESUS Ministries
Evangelist John Walter James Jr.
John Walter James Jr. was born again on April 26, 1988, at Eastside Baptist Church in Douglas, Georgia, under the preaching ministry of Dr. Ike Reighard. During a message titled “Two Sins and Two Judgments,” the conviction of the Holy Spirit led him to surrender his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. From that moment, he developed a deep appreciation for the Word of God and experienced rapid spiritual growth.
On July 17, 1988, he was licensed to the Gospel ministry by Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Axson, Georgia. Preaching did not come naturally at first, but faithful prayer from other believers encouraged him to become bold in his calling. This led to a strong commitment to soul winning, intensive biblical study, and supply preaching opportunities.
He was ordained to the Gospel ministry on February 25, 1990, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church upon the request of Stokesville Baptist Church in Axson, Georgia. During this season of ministry, he preached extensively and witnessed many professions of faith in Jesus Christ.
He became the Interim Pastor of Newbern Baptist Church in Millwood, GA. This Church had declined in attendance and was just about to close the doors. After a few months of preaching, a "core" group of believers came together and the Church is still thriving today.
Seminary Training
Sensing a need for deeper theological training, John enrolled at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee. While attending seminary, he volunteered as a chaplain at the Mark Luttrell Transition Center, a diagnostic prison facility. There he ministered daily to inmates who were entering the Tennessee state prison system, sharing the Gospel with hundreds of men each month.
Try JESUS Ministries was officially established on November 14, 1991, during his seminary years. The ministry focused on distributing King James Version Bibles, evangelism, revival preaching, prison ministry, and assisting local churches. During this time, he was also a member of Bellevue Baptist Church and sat under the pastoral leadership of Dr. Adrian Rogers.
John graduated from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary on May 12, 1995, earning a Master of Divinity degree. During his training, he developed teaching modules designed to help Christians understand spiritual gifts and how they operate within the local New Testament church.
Church Leadership
Following seminary, John helped plant Central Baptist Church in Brighton, Tennessee. He participated in community evangelism, church organization, land acquisition, and church construction, helping establish a growing congregation.
After returning to Georgia, he served as pastor of St. Illa Missionary Baptist Church in Douglas, Georgia. During his ministry there, he trained church members in soul winning and spiritual gift development.
John currently serves as pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Axson, Georgia, his home church. His ministry focuses on evangelism, biblical preaching, discipleship training, and community outreach.
Ministry Experience
Throughout his ministry, John has preached in multiple states, conducted revival meetings, ministered in prisons and jails, officiated weddings and funerals, provided biblical counseling, and trained believers in evangelism and spiritual gifts.
After retiring from a career in law enforcement and seeing his children grow into adulthood, he continues to pursue his calling as an Evangelist. His passion remains centered on prayer, Bible study, and faithful preaching of the Gospel.
Ministry Credentials
Licensing, ordination, seminary training, and college credentials are displayed below.
