Bro. James grew up in Tulsa, OK and was saved at Woodland Acres Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma at six years old. His parents and extended family were very involved in church and missions. As a teenager at Falls Creek, he surrendered to the ministry. During his junior year at OBU, he nailed down his calling to the pastorate. He and his wife, Deanna were in the same youth group and have been friends since seventh grade. They began dating while at OBU and were married on June 14, 1997. They have two sons, J. Shelton and Walker. 

James was ordained to the Gospel Ministry on May 7, 2000. He is also commissioned as a Civil Air Patrol Chaplain by the North American Mission Board.  He received his Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Oklahoma Baptist University, Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Doctor of Ministry from  B. H. Carroll Theological Institute.

God has led him to serve His kingdom as a minister of education, student minister, associate pastor and senior pastor in Texas and Oklahoma. He has been involved in multiple mission activities in the United States and internationally.

He serves as a member on the Board of Trustees for Oklahoma Baptist University. Where he also serves on the University Advancement Team and Alumni Board.

Janice Maynard and her husband, Mickey, live in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and have two daughters; Crystal and Kasey. Kasey is married to Rob "Pup" Rogers who is the Pastor of First Baptist Church, Okemah. Kasey graduated from OU's Health and Science Center in June 2014, with a Doctor of Pharmacology degree. She is now working as a Pharmacist in Okemah. On August 8, 2012, she and Pup blessed them with their first grandchildren! Yes, children, they had twin girls, Aubrey Ann and Addison Jean. Crystal is married to Jeremy Flowers. Jeremy works at Tinker and Crystal is a stay-at-home mom. On January 4, 2015, they blessed them with their third grandchild, a boy, Cooper Joe. On September 21, 2017, they were again blessed with another grandson, Casen Wade. On June 4, 2019, they were blessed with another granddaughter Chole Ann.

Janice has been a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, Shawnee since 1979, where she is very active in the music ministry. She sings in the Adult Choir. Music is one of her great loves! But now that is second to spending time with her precious grandchildren!

Janice has been the Office Manager and Association Secretary for Pottawatomie-Lincoln Baptist Association from 1979-1985, then 1994 to the present. Being the daughter of a military man turned preacher, has prepared her well for this ministry. There have been a lot of changes over the years, but she feels they have been for the good. She loves her job and feels it is a great ministry opportunity and looks forward to many more years of service.

Tanya Bruton and her husband, Jeff, live in Meeker, Oklahoma. They have three daughters: McKenzie, Micah, and Madison, two sons: Alex and Austin, and two grandchildren: Henry and Emilia.  Some of Tanya's hobbies include scrapbooking, crafting, and baking.

Tanya has worked as the Printshop/media manager since 2013. Tanya enjoys helping our churches design and prints their bulletins and other flyers. She is also helpful in keeping websites up to date.