Our Leadership

Our Shepherds / Elders / Overseers:

The Northern Light Church of Christ has three ordained shepherds (“elders” or “overseers”):
Emem Akpan, Dave Ward, and Dickey Joe Turner.

Our Minister

Jim Hinton is a native of San Diego California who grew up with dreams of being a professional baseball player. But, the Lord had other plans for him. At the age of 19 Jim sensed God’s call to preach His Word and help people with their problems – which he has been doing in ministry for nearly 35 years. He is a gifted communicator and counselor with a passion for encouraging others.

Jim received his Biblical training at the Sunset School of Preaching which is now known as the Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock, Texas. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Lubbock Christian University and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at National University.

Over a period of 24 years Jim served as the Preaching Minister for three congregations in the San Diego area – Chula Vista, La Mesa, and Northern Hills. In 2003 he was also honored to be asked to be an elder at the La Mesa church. Then from 2011 to 2016 he worked as the Spiritual Formation Minister with the Canyon View Church family.

Since 2016 Jim has served as the Preaching/Outreach Minister for the Northern Light Church of Christ in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

However, no matter what role the Lord given Jim in the Kingdom – his deepest desire is that his life, leadership, and service would result in people loving God, becoming like Jesus, and living joyful Spirit-filled lives.

Jim’s favorite Bible verse reflects this vision. “With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine”. – Ephesians 3:20 (NCV)

In 1983 Jim married the love of his life, Laura, and they have two beautiful daughters, Jamie and Julie as well as an adorable grandson named Brice.

Jim also loves classic movies, jazz, Mexican food, coffee, football, and jokes (even those that are old and stale).

Quote: “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these”.

George Washington Carver

Song: “Come as You Are” by Crowder https://youtu.be/yjgioXrnEME

Movie: “Woodlawn” https://youtu.be/0xb8fhck0ks

Book: The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

For inspiring and funny stuff follow Jim on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/james.e.hinton and Twitter https://twitter.com/jim_hinton

Our Deacons

Mike Harrison, Youth/Teens
Ralph Weber, Community
Al Holte, Prison Correspondence Ministry

Our Leadership Team

For over fifteen years, a team of volunteer servant leaders has met regularly to attend to a wide variety of needs, practical and spiritual, to support the life of our church. This includes various elders, deacons, staff, treasurers, ministry leaders, and more. They focus on the ongoing function of our church so that other leaders can keep their focus on ministry.