Rev. Jim Wakelin – Bio

 

Born October 1957 –  Regina, Sask. Canada
      –  Son of a Disciples minister 

                       Rev. Howard O. Wakelin,

May 1960 to 1964 :  Lived in  Mt. Ayr, Iowa
         1964 to 1966 :  Lived in Estherville, Iowa
          1966 to 1972 :  Lived in Shenandoah, Iowa
          1972 to 1976 :  Lived in Illiopolis, Illinois
Sept. ’76 to June ’78:  Eureka College 

 

          1978 to 1982 : Lived in Atlantic, Iowa

          June 6, 1982 : Married – Diane Christensen
              1982-1985 : Northwest Missouri

                                  State University in Maryville
               May 1985 : graduated along side his wife : 

                    B.A. in  Management/Data Processing.

​

During this time Jim worked as youth director for First Christian Church in Maryville and as pastor of Pickering Christian Church

     in Pickering Missouri.

​

Dec 1985-1989 : Employment:

                             Electronic Data Systems (EDS)

Sept 1989-Dec 1992 : Brite Divinity School,
graduate seminary for Texas Christian University

​

89-90 – Student Pastorate – Pilot Point Christian Church,  Pilot Point Texas

90-July 94 – Pastorate – Memorial Christian Church, Graham, Texas

July 1994 to Apr 2000 – Pastorate –

          United Church of Christ, Atlantic, Iowa

May 2000 to May 2009 – Pastorate –

    Bloomfield Christian Church,  Bloomfield, Iowa
June 2009 to present – Pastorate –

   Davis Street Christian Church,  Ottumwa, Iowa

May 2011 to 2014 – Partnered Regional Minister

       for Christian Church in the Upper Midwest

​

January 2013 – Became partnered owner and innkeeper with wife, Diane of the Grey Goose Inn on Rathbun Lake

FAMILY – Wife – Diane,

CHILDREN:    Jessica  (graduated in 2003)-living in Omaha working as a Dental Assistant. Husband  Jake Matthews,(05/15) daughter Adelaide.

​

Stephen (graduated in 2004) 

Wife: Chrissy Covington (09/09),  children, Aaron, Vincent, Brynlee

 

Amanda (graduated in 2011)  attended William Penn University, Iowa State, Indian Hills.  Is currently living with sister, Jessica

​

Dog: Charley Yoder Brown

​

Degrees & Certificates
1985 – Bachelor of Arts degree in Management/Data Processing -NWMSU

1992 – Masters of Divinity degree – Brite Divinity School, TCU

1996- Certificate as a  Pastoral Care Specialist -Des Moines Pastoral Care Center

2003- Certificate – Ministry and Technology from Dubuque Theological Seminary.

2000 –  Jim became a United States citizen

Hobbies, Interests, & Highlights:  music, hiking the Appalachian Trail,  fishing,  computers, movie watching, woodworking, 

​

2002 – RAGBRAI participant with son, Stephen

​

2003 – Co-Host for RAGBRAI through Bloomfield

2004 Jim and  Stephen finished their first marathon side by side.

​

Retirement plan – Grey Goose Inn acquired in January 2013 – management team with wife Diane who is the lead innkeeper. 

​

GREATEST PASSIONS –  Jim’s greatest love is for God and his family which include their dog, Charley.   Jim has served in many capacities within the region since moving to Iowa including serving on the Regional Board 2006-2008 serving as member and chair of the Investments and Property Unit,  adult sponsor of the Youth Unit and UMWYC – Upper Midwest Youth Council. Jim also serves the region as a member of the Committee on Ministry. 

 

Throughout ministry, Jim has served in ecumenical venues including director of Davis County Lord’s Cupboard 2002-2006    and civic organization –

• Lion’s Club (treasurer 1984)

• Optimist Club (Club President, 2008)

​

     Jim served as a Partner Regional Minister (PRM) on staff with the Christian Church in the UpperMidwest May 2011 - May 2014.  

     Between Jim, his father – Howard, and Uncle – Halsey they have served over 135 years ministering to Disciple congregations and ministries across the US and Canada.