Ivy Creek welcomed Pastor Jim Thornton as its new pastor in June 2007. Pastor Jim brings a wealth of experience and devotion to the ministry of Ivy Creek.
 He was raised in Richmond, Virginia. His parents saw to it that he was raised in the Baptist church. His wife, Carol, grew up as an Episcopalian, and after their marriage, they began attending the United Methodist Church. Both have been members of the UMC since. His professional career involved service for 10 years as a Virginia State Probation and Parole Officer and 15 years as a United States Probation Officer for the U.S. District Court in Richmond.
In 1983, he was drawn into a personal relationship with Christ, continuing a faith journey that exists to this day. In 1991, he received his call to serve as an ordained pastor. Jim graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. and was ordained an elder in the UMC in June 1997. He served 6 years on the eastern shore and moved to the Charlotesville District in 1997. Before coming to Ivy Creek, he served a two point charge consisting of Macedonia United Methodist Church in Louisa and Byrd Chapel in Kents Store.
Pastor Jim's wife Carol received the call to become a local pastor in 1995; she retired from full time ministry in 2009 and now has a post as a part time pastor in Scottsville.
The Thornton's have two children, a son Jay and a daughter Julie. Jay serves as a Sergeant in the Chesterfield Police Department. Jay and his wife Natalie have three children. Their daughter, Julie, is a nurse. Julie and her husband Tim have two children. Julie's husband Tim is starting a United Methodist Church in Stafford, VA. The Thornton's grandchildren range in age from 9 to 14.
When he is not preaching, leading or visiting you may find him fishing, target shooting or kayaking.
by Bob Pattison, originally appeared as an article in Volume 3, Issue 2 of The Ivy Vine.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 December 2009 )
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