Ministry Profile

James MacDonald has committed his whole life to proclaiming the truth of God’s transforming power. As a pastor, author, 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 at Harvest Bible Chapel in the northwest Chicago suburbs, ministering to a growing flock of God’s people on multiple campuses, now more than 12,000 people. James is founding and senior pastor of this church based on the priority of prayer, boldness in evangelism, spirit-filled worship and unapologetic proclamation of God’s Word. Additionally, Harvest has launched 40 thriving new churches in the U.S. and abroad.

James’ teaching, which emphasizes the precise exposition of God’s Word and its practical life application, can be heard on Walk in the Word, a daily 30-minute radio program heard on over 900 outlets across North America. Walk in the Word’s mission is to ignite passion in the people of God through the proclamation of truth. For more information, visit www.walkintheword.com.

James regularly speaks at Bible and pastor’s conferences throughout the world.

James has authored the following books:

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: A Fresh Look at Psalm 23 (Walk in the Word, 2008)
10 Choices: A Proven Plan to Change Your Life Forever (Thomas Nelson, 2008)
When Life is Hard (Moody, Scheduled 2010)

…and has contributed to the following publications: Preaching Today, Worship Leader, Leadership Journal, and now monthly to Our Journey, the daily devotional from Walk in the Word.

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 in self-disclosure of personal sin based upon James 5:16. James and his wife Kathy married in 1983, have three children, and reside in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.