James Armstrong
Lead Pastor
James became Executive Pastor for Live Oaks Community Church in July 2022, overseeing and empowering staff to accomplish the church’s mission and vision, as well as directing its daily operations.
Having served as an associate or senior pastor at a dozen churches stateside and abroad, James also has served as a trained crisis chaplain and counselor, and led dozens of marriage, youth, and singles ministry retreats over the course of his 30-year ministry career. He is a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran, serving under four different Presidents in ministry to airmen, sailors, and soldiers both at home and overseas. Additionally, he was an instructor at colleges in Maryland and Texas; taught Military Strategic Studies at the U.S. Air Force Academy; and was pastor of The Hill Fellowship, the Academy’s largest worship service.
A military kid, James grew up in both the U.S. and Europe; he became a Christian as a teen at a Baptist camp. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry from East Texas Baptist University (where he met his wife, Wendy); an M.Div. in Biblical Languages from Southwestern Seminary; a D.Min. in Leadership from George Fox University; and completed his Ph.D. Coursework (ABD) in Systematic Theology from Midwestern Theological Seminary.
Committed to investing in the church on both a local and international level, in 2019, he founded Becoming Missional, an organization aimed at training and equipping leaders and churches primarily in developing nations. His heart and passion, he says, is “for serving God and His people, those living and serving around the globe.” The Armstrongs have three grown children – Alysse, Austin, and Ashlea.
James Armstrong
Executive and Teaching Pastor
James became Executive Pastor for Live Oaks Community Church in July 2022, overseeing and empowering staff to accomplish the church’s mission and vision, as well as directing its daily operations.
Having served as an associate or senior pastor at a dozen churches stateside and abroad, James also has served as a trained crisis Chaplain and counselor, and led dozens of marriage, youth, and singles ministry retreats over the course of his 30-year ministry career. He is a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran, serving under four different presidents in ministry to airmen, sailors, and soldiers both at home and overseas. Additionally, he was an instructor at colleges in Maryland and Texas; taught Military Strategic Studies at the U.S. Air Force Academy; and was pastor of The Hill Fellowship, the Academy’s largest worship service.
A military kid, James grew up in both the U.S. and Europe; he became a Christian as a teen at a Baptist camp. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry from East Texas Baptist University (where he met his wife, Wendy); an M.Div. in Biblical Languages from Southwestern Seminary; a D.Min. in Leadership from George Fox University; and a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Midwestern Theological Seminary. Committed to investing in the church on both a local and international level, in 2019, he founded Becoming Missional, an organization aimed at training and equipping leaders and churches primarily in developing nations. His heart and passion, he says, is “for serving God and His people, those living and serving around the globe.” The Armstrongs have three grown children – Alysse, Austin, and Ashlea.