Bryan James

Monterey Church started as a dream in the heart of Bryan and Elaine James in 1999. Bryan’s research showed him that Monterey County was nearly 90% un-churched, yet over 70% of the community answered that they believed in God and would like to have that faith informed. Bryan and Elaine saw this as a great opportunity and began to raise support and seek counsel to start a church in Monterey. In time, the details were worked out and it became evident that God was leading the James family (Bryan, his wife Elaine, and their two daughters, Rachel and Sarah) to take the leap. In September of 2005, Pastor Bryan and Elaine answered God’s call and came to the Monterey Peninsula to launch a new church in this community. With God’s incredible help, the first worship service was launched in March of 2006. Since then, Monterey Church has met every week, added hundreds of members, and created dozens of dGroups (small groups) that meet all over the area. The James family has also grown, adding Julia and Sam! As of Easter Sunday 2014, Monterey Church is now transforming hearts from the very heart of downtown Monterey and this proved to be just the beginning of another huge move of God. Pastor Bryan sensed another call, this time to expand the Body through church planting. The James family, once again, stepped out in faith to plant Monterey Church in the Gainesville-Warrenton area of Northern Virginia. Known for his direct delivery and unhindered approach to teaching the Word, Pastor Bryan James shares his time between the two coasts preaching the messages God has put on his heart. Many members, too, go to and from both of these campuses! The two Bodies enjoy joining efforts and partnering for the purposes of pursuing the Monterey Mission of reaching the nations with the love of Christ.