An Introduction of the Reverend Dr. Henry Kunwun Gbassagee James, Native of Liberia, West Africa

Rev. Dr. James is a child of God. He is a messenger of God who is "bringing the living word in a very simple way " spreading it over the community. Clearly, he projects a very warm and sincere presence. He loves to sing, pray and preach. His favorite scripture is John 3:16. Dr. James has extensive training and experience in ministry, teaching and criminal justice.

Dr. James received his early primary and secondary undergraduate education, along with his BA Degree in Sociology from West Africa Liberia. A Master of Divinity Degree from Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, Ohio "In African American style Biblical Preaching" and Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio "In Church Revitalization and Growth."

His clergy experience spans from founding a church to the spiritual leader of a 750 person church. Dr. James has provided pastoral leadership to churches in Liberia, West Africa, West Virginia, Ohio, New York and Stoughton, MA. Rutland/Georgia, VT and is currently pasturing the Trinity United Methodist Church, Providence, RI and the Memorial United Methodist Church in Taunton, MA.

Dr. James, training and experience in Criminal Justice afforded him the opportunity to serve in the late Tubman Administration as an undercover agent to the 18th President of Liberia. In addition, he has established and taught schools at the elementary, junior high and university levels.

On any given day, one will find Dr. James giving of all his gifts and talents to those in need, those less fortunate, as well as providing guidance and counsel. He is a mover and a shaker. He served the Stoughton Clergy Association as president for eight (8) years during which time he established a working partnership between the Stoughton School administration and the clergy.

Dr. James also served as one of the major engineer architects to create a "No Place for Hate" community in Stoughton, MA. He believes that every human being has their God-given rights and deserves to live a prosperous, productive and happier life.

While serving in Stoughton, MA, Dr. James spearheaded a major effort soliciting medications and medical supplies for the people of Liberia. Through these efforts two major shipments of medications and medical supplies totaling more than $30,000 was sent to the hospital. This enabled surgical procedures and those suffering various post war illnesses to be helped. He also serves with several other ministers on a task force to help rebuild post war Liberia.

Another outreach project that was begun by Dr. James, while in Stoughton, was for the Bishop Judith Craige Orphanage Children's Village in Liberia. The orphanage is run and operated by the Liberian Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. This project being incomplete when Dr. James was called to Rutland, VT, he decided to inform the community of Rutland about his project and asked anyone who was willing and able to help complete the project.

Dr. James' passion to assist people in need is beyond religion and cultural boundaries.

He has helped several non immigrants who have no knowledge about the immigration process to find their way through the system. He has assisted many international students for the past 15 years as part of his ministry to adjust to different cultural and society while studying in the United States. As an immigrant and naturalized U.S. citizen, Dr. James knows and understands just how it feels to be in a different country. His passion for helping people in this area is very strong.

Dr. James is married and has four children, two sets of twins. He resides in Somerset, MA with his lovely wife, Ruth Koha and his daughter, Henriet Joy and Son, Henry Jr. The older twins Alice and Alex live in Liberia and they will be joining their parents and siblings when a United States visa is available for them.

Dr. James' biological family is very large; he has twenty-five (25) brothers and sisters.

The James family also has a foster daughter Marcia Leggett who resides in New Bedford, MA and visits the family occasionally.