Jim Clark

Just after graduating from college in Southern California, I was led to Christ through some surfers on fire for Jesus. I became enamored with God's word and longed for Christian fellowship. A friend invited me to a church in our fellowship where I was baptized and quickly became involved in a volunteer youth ministry.

After moving to Dallas and then returning to school for training in full-time ministry, I went through a time of being broken by the Lord. During this process, He opened my eyes to the legalism and pride in my life. I came to realize how desperately I needed Jesus and the freedom we can enjoy in Him.

Through such influences as Mike's preaching, several wonderful Christian mentors, a patient wife, and the Walk to Emmaus, the Lord has taught me how to live by the power of the Holy Spirit and rest in Christ alone for my salvation.

Based on such passages from God's word as Ezekiel 34, 1 Peter 5:2-3, 1 Timothy 3, and Titus 1, I understand a shepherd to:

• Help each member of the flock realize how much Christ loves them and urge them to live out their identities as beloved children of God.
• Through his speech and behavior, consistently point the flock to Jesus Christ as their source of salvation, joy, and life now and forever.
• Protect the sheep from spiritual predators, especially those who don't teach the gospel of God's grace.
• Sensitively minister to those who are broken. Firmly restore to Christ and the body of Christ those who have sinned or strayed from the fellowship.
• Continue being a strong spiritual leader to his wife and children.
• Keep growing as a Christ-follower and impart to others healthy doctrine that is Scripture-based, Christ-centered, and Spirit-filled.

I pray that the Father will continue leading the Highland family in the direction it's going - focusing on Jesus Christ as the answer, the light, and our only hope, being and oasis of love and healing, and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in the power from the pulpit and in our classes so that the risen Lord continually transforms lives. I also pray that Jesus would stretch us to become more bold in local evangelism and world outreach, with a passion to plant new churches worldwide and take new missionaries every few years. Finally, I pray that the Holy Spirit will anoint our small groups and Bible classes in such a way that people regularly experience healing, prayer, powerful worship, confession, and authenticity. I pray that these groups and classes will become like mini-churches that serve the lost and hurting in Jesus' name through outreach projects and short-term overseas mission efforts.