In September 2011, Rev. Dr. James C. Wideman, Executive Director
of the Baptist Convention of New England, was called as Greenville's Intentional Interim Pastor, following the almost twenty year ministry of Rev. Dr. James Fisher. Dr. Wideman is originally from San Antonio, Texas but has served in New England for almost 30 years. He is a graduate of Baylor University in Waco, Texas and he holds Masters of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Pastor Jim has served as a licensed pastoral counselor in a counseling center which he founded and he has pastored two congregations for a total of 18 years. He has served as Denominational Executive for 15 years with the Baptist Convention of New England and has been interim pastor of nine different congregations during his 37 year ministry.

Pastor Jim is passionate about Jesus, Sandy, [his wife of 40 years], his three children, his nine grandchildren and the Boston Red Sox. La Boheme, by Puccini, is his favorite opera, the Isaacs are his favorite Southern Gospel group, Diana Krall is his favorite jazz singer, BB King is his favorite Blues singer, and he loves listening to a good Black Gospel Choir. Jim loves the way Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox and Wes Welker of the Patriots always have dirt on their uniforms!

His favorite Bible chapter is Romans 8. His favorite Psalm is Psalm is 19. He gets emotional every time he hears a recording of the great African American preacher S. M. Lockridge sharing his six minute description of Jesus entitled, "That's My King", and every time one of his grandchildren says, "I love you".

Pastor Jim is leading Greenville through a series of five focal points which will prepare the church for its next full time minister. He and the church leadership have agreed upon a two year covenant with provision for an extension as necessary. Pastor Jim and Sandy have already fallen in love with the people of Greenville Baptist -- and we have fallen in love with them.