Pastor Jim Coffin’s spiritual touchstone is Jesus’ statement about having come that humans might have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). His sermons emphasize that following Christ is the most sensible, most loving, most affirming, most fulfilling way to live. Thus he encourages his listeners to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).

Pastor Jim brings a highly diverse background to his role at Graceworx. He grew up on a farm in Missouri. For 14 years he worked or studied outside the United States—in Mexico, England and Australia. 

He spent nine years in youth ministry, nine years as a religious-magazine editor, 18 years as the lead pastor of a thriving mid-sized congregation and 11 years as executive director of the Interfaith Council of Central Florida. Concurrent with his interfaith work, he preached weekly at Graceworx, and has continued doing so since his formal retirement from the Interfaith Council in 2022. 

Pastor Jim has authored three books, written scores of articles for religious publications and websites, has had more than 100 opinion pieces printed in the Orlando Sentinel, and writes nearly every week for his Graceworx blog. 

He and his wife, Leonie, have three adult sons, two daughters-in-law and two grandchildren. In addition to writing, his hobbies include carpentry, gardening, hiking, camping and any activity that allows him to experience more deeply the beauty of nature.