Pastor Victoria S. James is a native of Ypsilanti, Michigan who has devoted her life to limitless service, and preaching God’s Word. She has a sincere passion and love for God and exemplifies that love through her passion for serving others while serving Christ.  Pastor James is best known throughout Washtenaw County as a spiritual leader, insightful educator, and community advocate. 

In 1978, Pastor James received the call to ministry and was later ordained in 1981 at the Metropolitan Memorial Baptist Church, then under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. S.L. Roberson.  She faithfully served in the role as the First Assistant to the pastor for twenty plus years under his leadership.

Her calling to pastor and her role as Pastor was established in the founding of Ekklesia Fellowship Ministries in Ypsilanti, Michigan in December of 2000.  Ekklesia is a ministry that has been “Called Out to be a Blessing and Called Out to Make a Change!”  In 2014 she was selected as a member of Pastors of Excellence Program by The Sandberg Leadership Center of Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio. 

The name Pastor James is synonymous with community advocacy and empowerment. In 2004, she founded the “Women of The Word, Too” an organization that provides mentoring and an outlet for women clergy throughout Washtenaw County and the surrounding area. Likewise, she is a co-founding member of the Ypsilanti Covenant Pastors Fellowship, organized in 2011 with the mission to bring pastors and churches together in covenant agreement to provide a catalyst for unity in the community.

Active in a range of organizations, Pastor James’s service areas past and present range from: member of the Love Ypsi Pastors Network; Washtenaw County Sheriff Council of Clergy; Hope Clinic Board of Directors; Pastoral Advisory Council for the Hope Clinic; former President of the Ypsilanti Gateway Economic Development Board; and former 1st Vice-President of the Ypsilanti Willow Run branch of the NAACP. 

Pastor James earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Eastern Michigan University, a Master of Education Degree from Spring Arbor University, and a Certificate of School Administration from Concordia University. Pastor James served as an educator for over a decade. 

Her life of love and service is further exemplified in her family life as the wife of Lee E. James, mother of eight adult children, and Nana of fifteen.

Pastor James entered her eternal rest on April 1, 2020.