Jim Congdon
Lead Pastor
Personal History
Jim was born in Portland, Oregon, the oldest son of 12 children born to Bible teacher (Multnomah Bible College) Dr. Roger and Gwen Congdon. He grew up on a small farm, milking cows and doing chores, but he still found a lot of time for music, chess, and team sports. Jim graduated from high school early and at age 16 entered Wheaton College in Illinois, which was founded by his ancestor Jonathan Blanchard. Graduating in 1971, Jim returned home for a year of Bible training at Multnomah, then four more years at Dallas Theological Seminary in Texas. He graduated from Dallas in 1976 and was hired as the Youth Pastor at Topeka Bible Church in Kansas.
After the senior pastor departed in 1977, Jim was hired to that position. Jim has now served as the Senior Pastor for over 30 years. TBC has grown to over 1,400 in attendance.
The mission that we believe God has given us is "Leading people to life in Christ" (John 10:10). Discover-Connect-Serve is our label for the process by which we help people become fully grown Christ-followers. The four primary activities we engage in are represented by the letters of "TBC Life": teaching the Word (T), building the Body (B), celebrating the Lord (C), and (Life) living it in Topeka and around the world. TBC is well-known for its relevant biblical teaching, contemporary worship, small group and women's ministries, community leadership (social, political), and vibrant missionary outreach.
Ministry Responsibilities
Jim preaches three times on Sunday mornings, helps lead the church and the pastoral staff, oversees the church board, and represents Topeka Bible Church around the world.
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mathematics from Wheaton College (1971); Certificate in Bible from Multnomah School of the Bible (1972); Master of Theology (Th.M.) in Old Testament Hebrew from Dallas Theological Seminary -- winner of the Old Testament Award (1976); Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) from Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois (1996).
Family
Jim and Melody have been married since 1978 and have four children: Adriel, whose husband Daniel teaches OT at Toronto University College; Mark (Katy), music teacher at Cair Paravel Latin School and worship leader of TBC's "Xenos service"; Doug (Leigh), graduate of Dallas Seminary, youth pastor at Westlake Presbyterian Church in Austin, TX; and Craig (Emily), graduate of John Brown University, headed to Dallas Seminary; and four perfect grandchildren, Liviya, Judah, Cora and Asher.
Miscellany
Jim's favorite hobbies include playing volleyball and basketball, studying the Bible, leading tours to the lands of the Bible, doing archaeological digs, strategizing about outreach to Jews and to the nation of India, teaching Wisdom Literature at a local high school, reading, playing piano, traveling with Melody, collecting ancient pottery, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and talking to people about Christ. He chairs the board of Jews for Jesus, today's leading evangelistic mission to Jews; and serves on the board of Bibles to the World. He was the editor of Jews and the Gospel at the End of History, a festschrift honoring Moishe Rosen, published in 2009. Jim's favorite song growing up in rainy Portland was "Listen to the Rhythm of the Falling Rain." He firmly believes that Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings should sit next to the Bible in every living room.
