Pastor James Harleman was born in 1973 and raised in Kent, WA, where he attended a church that was part of the Restoration Movement and private schools that pumped him full of information. A quarter-century later he met Jesus, experienced transformation in January 1998, married his lovely bride Kathryn in October 1999, and completed a Bachelors degree in Biblical Studies. James plans to continue his formal education at Western Seminary.

He came to Mars Hill Church in January 1998, which has flourished in one of America's least churched cities and is one the nation's 60 fastest-growing churches. He's been on staff since 2001 (a church odyssey). James has overseen guest services, membership, the public and members' website, blogs, print publications, programming and staffing. He teaches classes on Engaging Culture and conducts monthly Film and Theology events for Mars Hill and is presently serving as Campus Pastor of Mars Hill's Wedgwood Campus in North Seattle.

Additionally, James administrates and writes for Cinemagogue, a blog on popular culture including film, television, comic books and more. He screens and reviews films for HollywoodJesus.com. He is working on a book exploring the interaction between film and evangelism. James can be reached by emailing james@marshillchurch.org.