STAFF
Meet the dedicated staff at St. James Lutheran Church
REV. DR. RICHARD BLUE
Pastor Blue is an ordained pastor with extensive ministry experience and theological education, holding a Doctorate of Ministry in Apologetics from The Institute of Lutheran Theology. He's endorsed by Augsburg Lutheran Churches and the Augustana District of LCMC and serves as an ordained pastor with The North American Lutheran Church and Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ. With a passion for sharing scriptural knowledge and practical theology, Pastor Blue is dedicated to inspiring and guiding individuals and congregations on their faith journey, alongside his role as a husband and father.
Pastor Blue is a highly accomplished and ordained pastor with a rich background in ministry and theological education. He holds an Associate of Arts in Christian Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry from Lincoln Christian University, a Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry in Apologetics from The Institute of Lutheran Theology.
Throughout his career, Pastor Blue has served in various vital roles within the church, including senior pastor, church planter/mission developer, associate pastor, family pastor, youth pastor, camp counselor, and even as a church custodian. His dedication to spreading the message of faith and his commitment to the church’s growth have made a significant impact on congregations across different denominations.
Currently, Pastor Blue is endorsed by Augsburg Lutheran Churches and the Augustana District of LCMC, and he serves as an ordained pastor within The North American Lutheran Church and Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.
On a personal note, Pastor Blue is happily married to Rev. Amanda Blue, who serves as the Pastor of Mt. Lebanon Community Church (GMC) in Greenfield. Together, they have two wonderful children, Ricky Lee (7) and Anna Marie (3).
Pastor Blue eagerly looks forward to sharing his wealth of scriptural knowledge, practical theology, and extensive ministry experience to inspire and guide individuals and congregations on their faith journey.
Pastor Blue is a highly accomplished and ordained pastor with a rich background in ministry and theological education. He holds an Associate of Arts in Christian Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry from Lincoln Christian University, a Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry in Apologetics from The Institute of Lutheran Theology.
Throughout his career, Pastor Blue has served in various vital roles within the church, including senior pastor, church planter/mission developer, associate pastor, family pastor, youth pastor, camp counselor, and even as a church custodian. His dedication to spreading the message of faith and his commitment to the church’s growth have made a significant impact on congregations across different denominations.
Currently, Pastor Blue is endorsed by Augsburg Lutheran Churches and the Augustana District of LCMC, and he serves as an ordained pastor within The North American Lutheran Church and Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.
On a personal note, Pastor Blue is happily married to Rev. Amanda Blue, who serves as the Pastor of Mt. Lebanon Community Church (GMC) in Greenfield. Together, they have two wonderful children, Ricky Lee (7) and Anna Marie (3).
Pastor Blue eagerly looks forward to sharing his wealth of scriptural knowledge, practical theology, and extensive ministry experience to inspire and guide individuals and congregations on their faith journey.
REV. BEN BLACK SR.
Rev. Ben L. Black Sr. is a dedicated pastor who began serving at St. James in April 2023, following his role in assisting with pulpit supply for the North American Lutheran Church Heartland Mission District. Ordained by the Lutheran Orthodox Church in January 2023, he brings a strong commitment to his ministry. Beyond the church, he serves as a first lieutenant in the Indiana Army National Guard, specializing as a chaplain candidate since March 2020 and is endorsed by the Augsburg Lutheran Church for his military service. Reverend Black's academic journey includes a Bachelor of Science in psychology and military resilience from Liberty University, and he is currently pursuing a Master of Ministry in Military Chaplaincy at the Institute of Lutheran Theology's Christ School of Theology.
Pastor Blue is a highly accomplished and ordained pastor with a rich background in ministry and theological education. He holds an Associate of Arts in Christian Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry from Lincoln Christian University, a Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry in Apologetics from The Institute of Lutheran Theology.
Throughout his career, Pastor Blue has served in various vital roles within the church, including senior pastor, church planter/mission developer, associate pastor, family pastor, youth pastor, camp counselor, and even as a church custodian. His dedication to spreading the message of faith and his commitment to the church’s growth have made a significant impact on congregations across different denominations.
Currently, Pastor Blue is endorsed by Augsburg Lutheran Churches and the Augustana District of LCMC, and he serves as an ordained pastor within The North American Lutheran Church and Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.
On a personal note, Pastor Blue is happily married to Rev. Amanda Blue, who serves as the Pastor of Mt. Lebanon Community Church (GMC) in Greenfield. Together, they have two wonderful children, Ricky Lee (7) and Anna Marie (3).
Pastor Blue eagerly looks forward to sharing his wealth of scriptural knowledge, practical theology, and extensive ministry experience to inspire and guide individuals and congregations on their faith journey.
Rev. Ben L. Black Sr. assumed his role at St. James in April 2023, following a period of assisting with pulpit supply for the North American Lutheran Church Heartland Mission District. His journey into ministry led him to ordination by the Lutheran Orthodox Church in January 2023.
Pastor Black’s dedication to serving others extends beyond the church, as he also holds the position of first lieutenant in the Indiana Army National Guard, where he has served as a chaplain candidate since March 2020. His military service began in 2004 when he enlisted as an infantryman before transitioning to become a combat engineer. Notably, he is endorsed by the Augsburg Lutheran Church for his military service.
His academic pursuits include a Bachelor of Science in psychology and military resilience from Liberty University, and he is currently pursuing a Master of Ministry in Military Chaplaincy at the Institute of Lutheran Theology’s Christ School of Theology.
In 2007, Pastor Black married Melissa, and they are proud parents to three children, as well as the caregivers to three dogs and an adorable chinchilla.
Throughout his career, Pastor Blue has served in various vital roles within the church, including senior pastor, church planter/mission developer, associate pastor, family pastor, youth pastor, camp counselor, and even as a church custodian. His dedication to spreading the message of faith and his commitment to the church’s growth have made a significant impact on congregations across different denominations.
Currently, Pastor Blue is endorsed by Augsburg Lutheran Churches and the Augustana District of LCMC, and he serves as an ordained pastor within The North American Lutheran Church and Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.
On a personal note, Pastor Blue is happily married to Rev. Amanda Blue, who serves as the Pastor of Mt. Lebanon Community Church (GMC) in Greenfield. Together, they have two wonderful children, Ricky Lee (7) and Anna Marie (3).
Pastor Blue eagerly looks forward to sharing his wealth of scriptural knowledge, practical theology, and extensive ministry experience to inspire and guide individuals and congregations on their faith journey.
