Pastor James earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia (2012), and a Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University Divinity School in Nashville, Tennessee (2016). Additionally, Reverend Dennis earned a certificate in Black Church Studies from the Kelly Miller Smith Sr. Institute on Black Church Studies at Vanderbilt. Currently, Pastor James is completing a Doctorate of Ministry in Community Witness and Church Leadership from Candler School of Theology, Emory University.
An ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Reverend Dennis serves both the local and connectional AME church. In addition to his current pastoral appointment to Pine Grove AME Church (Columbia, South Carolina), Reverend Dennis serves as the Evangelism Committee Chair of the Richard Allen Young Adult Council. Reverend Dennis is the past Director of Ministries of the 7th Episcopal District and have held ministerial assignments at Bethel AME Church (Darlington, South Carolina), Bethel AME Church (Columbia, South Carolina), St. Phillip AME Church (Nashville, Tennessee) and Lee Chapel AME Church (Nashville, Tennessee).
In February of 2020, Reverend Dennis co-founded the Common Seminary, an online platform that seeks to make theological education and resources available to the general public. Through his work with the Common Seminary, Reverend Dennis is reimagining Christian Education for a new generation of believers and solidify its usage as a tool for social change.
The Reverend Dennis is married to his best friend and partner in life, laughter, and love, Mrs. Joslyn White Dennis.
