Jim was born and grew up in Florida. He attended the University of Kentucky for his undergraduate degree and during this time he sensed a strong call to pastoral ministry. After graduation from Kentucky, he began studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and completed two degrees. Since 1993, Jim has served as senior pastor of First Baptist Church Gonzales, LA. He has been married to Gwynne since 1987, and they have six children and five grandchildren. Jim began his work with Advance International in 2010 with special focus on East Asia.  Contact Jim

Jarrod Lamberth became a believer as while still a high school student, and began to prepare for full-time ministry during college. He currently serves in an administrative role as an Associate Pastor and Elder at First Baptist Church of Gonzales, Louisiana. Jarrod and his wife, Nell, were married in October of 2003, and have 4 children: Jesse, Rebekah, Ethan, and Allyson.  Contact Jarrod

Michael is a former Chief Financial Officer with Valley Services, Inc., and he spent the first ten years of his career as a CPA with Ernst & Young LLP. He currently serves on the Boards of several not-for-profit organizations and is a part-time business consultant. Michael also is an ordained deacon and has served in various volunteer roles at Ridgecrest Baptist Church, where they have been members since 1992. He and his wife, Peggi, reside in Madison, Mississippi, and they have a son, Alex.  Contact Michael

Jeff began working with Advance in 2008. Jeff earned his Bachelor of Arts from Texas A&M University, his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a pastor at Lakepointe Church in Rockwall, Texas. Jeff is married to Sissie Donnell and they have three adult children.  Contact Jeff

Tom has served as senior pastor in SBC churches continuously since 1980: Louisiana, Texas, and the Cayman Islands.  He’s been at his current church, Hillcrest Baptist, Austin TX, for 21 years. He and his wife, Diane, have two adult sons.  He is a graduate of Baylor (BA in religion, ‘82), Southwestern Seminary (MDiv ‘86), and New Orleans Seminary (DMin ‘92).  He is also the author of several books.  One of them, “The Anchor Course,” is an overview of Christianity that was translated by an Advance partner in China for the purposes of being distributed to Chinese pastors for discipleship and evangelism training.  He has taught at Advance schools in Jakarta, Manado, and Shanghai.  Contact Tom

Dr. Lloyd Harsch has been a professor of Church History and Baptist Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary since 2000.  He serves as  the Cooperative Program Chair of SBC Studies and the John T. Westbrook Chair of Church History, He is also the director of the Institute for Faith and the Public Square.  He is an prolific author, speaker, and has taught in several countries internationally.  Lloyd has been married to Jill Harsch, a software developer, since 1983. They have 2 adult sons. Chris Harsch, his wife, Grace, and their son, Leon, live in Coldwater, MS.  Mike Harsch, lives in New Orleans and works in construction.  He received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Contact Lloyd