James Gilliland

James grew up in Wheaton, IL, but graduated from high school in eastern Iowa. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Theory/Composition from Wheaton College and a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. James served as Worship Arts Pastor for Evangelical Free Church in Sheboygan, WI, for traditional and contemporary services, and Worship Leader at Skokie Valley Baptist Church in Wilmette, IL, a multicultural congregation. He also has served in online education administration for Trinity International University and an international seminary, and currently provides song ideas and transcription services for churches interested in multicultural worship music.

James lives in the northwest suburbs with his East Coast wife of 19 years, Christina, and they have three teenagers (two daughters and a younger son), a dog and a cat. James likes travel, Chicago sports and culture, 90's video games and action movies, and dad jokes.