James MacDonald

Founding Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel James MacDonald has committed his whole life to proclaiming the truth of God’s transforming power. As a pastor, author, radio Bible teacher, speaker, friend, and family man, James ignites a bold passion for God in every avenue of influence.

He’s most at home in the pulpit of Harvest Bible Chapel in the northwest Chicago suburbs, ministering to a growing flock of God’s people on multiple campuses, now over 12,000 strong.

James is the founding and Senior Pastor of this church based on four "pillars" or core values: the priority of prayer; boldness in evangelism; spirit-filled, Christ-exalting worship; and unapologetic proclamation of God’s Word. Through Harvest Bible Fellowship, 36 thriving new churches (and counting) have been launched in the U.S. and abroad.

Emphasizing the precise exposition of God’s Word and its practical life application, James' teaching can be heard on Walk in the Word, a daily 30-minute radio program broadcast on nearly 800 outlets across North America. Walk in the Word’s mission is "igniting passion in the people of God through the proclamation of truth." For more information, visit the Walk in the Word website.

James also regularly speaks at Bible and pastors' conferences throughout the world and is the featured contributor of Walk in the Word's daily devotional, Our Journey.

A number of books and believer-equipping resources have been authored by Pastor James:

I Really Want to Change . . . So, Help Me God (Moody, 2000)
Lord, Change My Attitude . . . Before It's Too Late (Moody, 2001)
Seven Words to Change Your Family (Moody, 2002)
God Wrote a Book (Crossway, 2002)
Gripped by the Greatness of God (Moody, 2005)
Downpour: He Will Come to Us Like the Rain (Broadman & Holman, 2006)
Ancient Wisdom (Broadman & Holman, 2007)
The Way of Wisdom (Walk in the Word, 2007)
Restore My Soul (Walk in the Word, 2008)
10 Choices (Thomas Nelson, 2008)

…In addition to his contributions to the following publications: Preaching Today, Worship Leader, Leadership Journal.

Born in London, Ontario, in 1960, James received a D. Min from Phoenix Seminary with his doctoral research in the area of ministry to men which was developed into a curriculum called Men at War, helping men toward self-disclosure of personal sin, based upon God's Word in James 5:16.

James and his wife Kathy married in 1983, have three children, and reside in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.