Pastor James Hunt and his wife Ali.

On January 7, 2018, Caloosa Baptist Church officially welcomed their new pastor, James Hunt, along with his wife Ali and four children. Pastor James was born in Maine, lived in Oklahoma, graduated college in Clearwater, Florida, and served his first 14 years of ministry mostly in south Florida. He married Ali in 1994 at First Baptist Church, Punta Gorda.

Before coming to LaBelle, Pastor James served as Senior Pastor at First Southern Baptist Church, Guthrie, Oklahoma. Preceding his time in Guthrie, he was a pastor on staff for nine years at Council Road Baptist Church, Bethany, Oklahoma. While at Council Road he ministered to single adults, blended families, and began the Karis ministry, an effort focused on adoption, fostering, and orphan care. The Karis ministry flowed out of his experience as an adoptive dad.

Though he earned his Master of Theological Studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, it’s his opinion that some of his best education was received through his journey of adoption. He and Ali have adopted four children as well as four dogs. It seems the number four is significant for them!

Don’t be surprised if you pull alongside Pastor James’ truck at a stoplight and hear music. He likes many styles of music which he plays at near ear-damaging levels. He also enjoys boots and jeans, going for walks in the park with his family, kayaking, riding his motorcycle, landscaping his yard, and dining out with his wife. His “dream car” is a 1968 fully restored truck.

Pastor James says that everything he is and hopes to be, everything about his ministry and life are all grace-enabled gifts from God. The most important thing he’d like you to know is his Savior, the Lord Jesus. Just ask him because he would love to tell you all about Him.

The folks at Caloosa Baptist Church invite you to join them any Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and meet Pastor James and his wonderful family!