The Reverend Doctor James M. Dunn is currently the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Stockton, California.  He came to Stockton in August of 1987.  He previously served as the Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Lockport, New York, for eight years.

Jim is a graduate of Gloversville High School, 1967; Alfred University, 1971; received his Master of Divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological  seminary in 1974; and his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Luther Rice Seminary in 1976.

The call to a global ministry has always been part of Jim’s call to ministry.  He has built churches and schools in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Costa Rica and Alaska.  He has traveled to Israel; worked with the Hopi Indians and helped develop a number of new churches in Northern California.

Eastern Baptist Seminary played an important role in Jim’s ministry.  He also served as President of the Alumni Association for four years.  He received the Alumnus of the Year Award and an honorary Doctorate as well as serving on their board.

In 2004, First Baptist completed a $5 million, 36,000 square feet, state of the art Children’s facility.  They love children and want to see them grow in the Lord.  First Baptist also started First Baptist Christian

School in September of 2004 and currently has over 250 children attending from preschool to eighth grade. Jim has been married to his high school sweetheart, Pamela Ann Gardiner for thirty-seven years.  Together, they have three daughters: Courtney Joy (Wise), Tricia Michelle (Brock), Heather Rae (Voyer) and two granddaughters, Ireland and Caprisa Brock.