Jim Pope

I was raised in Middle Tennessee and NE Louisiana by very loving parents who belonged to Methodist churches. As a teenager I went through the Methodist confirmation process, but to me it was simply a process of officially joining the church.

I attended a military academy in grades 10-12, and it was there that I was introduced to the Lord. We were required to attend church on Sundays, but it didn’t matter which one. I attended a non-denominational church with a friend where the Gospel was preached very powerfully. My friend was already a Believer, and we had several discussions about the need for salvation. It was with him on the sprawling, picturesque front campus of the academy that I prayed to receive Christ in my life.

I met my wife Connie at Tennessee Tech University. We were married in 1985 and began our life together in Dallas, TX. She was a Believer and was raised in the Baptist faith, so we joined a local church, and it was there that I was baptized.

I have played drums for most of my life, and it has always been my prayer that God would use me for His glory. I’m thankful that He first answered that prayer in Huntsville, AL, where I began playing in the orchestra for Whitesburg Baptist Church. Since that time, I have been blessed to play for the last 36 years in church orchestras and praise bands, mostly in middle and east Tennessee.

Throughout my faith journey I have had ups and downs with my devotional time with the Lord, but He continues to improve me day by day. He has given me the gift of hospitality and I love to host people in our home and cook them a good meal.

I’m very grateful to the Lord for the joy he gives me and the faith that He is in control, regardless of what circumstances my appear in life. My prayer is to continue to be used by Him in whatever capacity He desires for me.