Oklahoma Conference President Retires
- Oklahoma Communication
- May 29
- 3 min read
After nearly 40 years of ministry, Oklahoma Conference President, James Shires, retired at the end of April, 2025. He pastored for 31 years before becoming President for eight years. Now, as James reflects on God’s guidance in his past, he encourages others to trust in God’s guidance for the future of Oklahoma.
“Remember that God is in control,” said James. “This is His Conference, and we must trust Him – not just with this Conference, but with the world. The same God who has worked in the past will work in the present and in the future.”
James first joined the Adventist church in California, 1979. He did not grow up knowing God. So, in his mid-twenties, he began a journey of spiritual searching, which led him to church.
“I was journeying, looking for God – although I didn’t know it at the time,” said James.
The Adventist Church welcomed James. He attended church, camp meetings, and lay-training seminars. As a result, his spiritual journey took a new direction: learning how to better know, love and serve God.
“You have to know God and walk with God yourself, personally, in order to find answers to life’s big questions,” said James. “Once you get to know God, He will show you what you’re meant to do.”
At the start, James had no intention of becoming a pastor. He felt strongly called to prison ministries. Having known relatives behind bars, he felt impressed by Matthew 25:31-46, where Jesus calls his followers to care for “the least of these.”
Nevertheless, James did respond to God’s call for pastoral ministry, studying theology at Pacific Union College. For 20 years, James did prison ministries in tandem with pastoral work.
Then in 1995, James experienced an event that would forever impact his ministry. On April 19, a bomb destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. James felt his house shake from the impact, 20 miles away. Upon hearing news of the domestic terrorist attack, James called a hospital in Oklahoma City to volunteer.
“During that time, I saw the whole city, people from all denominations, working together to help,” said James. “There were no barriers at all.”
Upon arrival, hundreds of people crowded the hospital waiting room, looking for information on missing family members. James comforted and prayed with families. Over the next 21 days, James also participated in an interdenominational support group for those waiting on the retrieval of lost loved ones from rubble. The Oklahoma City bombing resulted in 168 deaths and hundreds more injured.*
“I think that’s when I started to open up and realize that the kingdom of God is much bigger than just the Adventist church,” said James. “I think as Adventists we need to open our eyes wider and bigger to see how God is at work all around us. The more you do that, the more God opens doors for ministry.”
After that, James began to more intentionally collaborate with people of all denominations. He encourages pastors and lay workers to do the same. In addition, he encourages all to spend time with God and to know God, personally.
“That was a driving force throughout my whole ministry – spending time with God and getting to know God through prayer,” said James. “God has been so good to me. Of course, through the years we always grow in our understanding of the truth. I would say that if we are humble and teachable, God can really grow us and use us.”
Thank you to President James Shires for his years of ministry! His generous kindness and care for others will leave a lasting impact on the Oklahoma Conference. With congratulations on retirement, James will be greatly missed! May God bless this next chapter in his life.
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