Rev. James Cleland
Pastor, Podcaster, Lego Master
About Pastor James
For over 20 years James has been active in all aspects of youth and family ministry, as a summer camp director, Christian school teacher, radio and podcast host, and now as a full-time Lutheran Pastor. James has led seminars and retreats around the country on topics including AI in the pulpit, missional gamification, liturgical classrooms, Lego and Minecraft, food in the bible, and more.
James has a passion for youth and family programming that embraces diverse learning styles, stages in life and cultural backgrounds. He has developed and implemented recreational programs for children with special needs and exchange students from around the world.
Above all else, James is focused on the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. James seeks to find new and creative ways for people to experience "Christ for You". James is available to partner with your ministry to create creative and inclusive experiences for your people to hear, taste and see the Gospel in action.
Speaker
First and foremost, James believes in the power of the Gospel and seeks to incorporate "Christ for you" and "Gospel rest" into all sermons and talks that he gives. James is a skilled public speaker and preacher who has presented on subjects including artificial intelligence in ministry, gamification, behavior management, missional and therapeutic recreation, and the liturgy of camps and classrooms. Pastor James has presented at numerous churches and conferences across the country and has created video training materials for Expert Online Training.
James is the host of the God Geeks Podcast and the St. Mark Drivetime Podcast. You can also listen to James as a guest on The Coffee Hour and Thy Strong Word.
Teacher
The classroom should be anything but boring. James brings his diverse talents and experience into the classroom so that students learn through fun multisensory adventures and can help you do the same. James has taught Bible history through feasts, the Church's relationship to technology through Lego play, and discipleship skills through group games and improv. Every class is an adventure, because that is what Christian life is supposed to be.
Game Master
James is a master in the field of missional and therapeutic recreation. He loves all things play whether it's building with Lego bricks, leading a tabletop roleplaying game, creating new icebreaker games, or reinventing classic games with a new mission. Fun is essential to a healthy and holistic ministry and can be one of the most effective ways to share a taste of the Kingdom of Heaven. With this in mind, James developed and teaches the MORE from Games system that can be incorporated into classrooms, families, camps, small groups and more.
Fun Stats
James by the Numbers
James has a wide array of interests and skills. Explore some fun statistics that put those passions in perspective.