What is your role at BVC?
Senior Pastor
 
What is your favorite scripture?
Pick a Psalm, any Psalm. That's the book I run to often, when I need to hear from God.
It's a book that speaks to the heart, not to the head. I am more of a "mystic" believer than a "theologian." In my mind, Theology is a verb, it"s something you do, but devotion is a noun, it's what you are. I've had some deeply personal experiences with the Lord. I connect with Him in the Psalms.
 
What Bible character are you looking forward to meeting in Heaven?
Curiously, I am the only pastor I know who identifies much more with Peter, than with, say, Paul. Like Peter, I am extroverted to the max, given to thinking out loud, and answering quickly. Like Peter, I can say something brilliant, or stupid. I love Peter's passion and willingness to live boldly for God. In heaven, I would stand in a long line, just to meet him.
 
What is the one thing about you that would be surprising for others to learn?
I can be quite content to be alone, for hours, or days even. People think of me as a public speaker, but inside of me is a writer, trying to get out. That side of me (which has never been fully developed) can be really introverted. I do think that I am pregnant with a book or two.
 
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
To make people laugh. In my fantasy life, I'm a stand-up comic, who longs to help people set aside all their stress and anxiety so they can respond to the absurdities of life with laughter. Erma Bombeck, Mark Lowry, also Jeff Foxworthy, they've figured out how to bring the laughs without sinking into the gutter.
 
Who do you look up to?
Billy Graham is a favorite. As a new Christian, I heard him live, at Jones Stadium in Lubbock, Texas (1975) and God called me to ministry right there in that stadium. Rick Warren and Bill Hybels are also heroes to me, men who have "moved the world" for God. They also generously shared great tools and methods of ministry, as well as their own heart and passion, which have encouraged me greatly. God has used several other incredible ministers in my life: Ben W. Meith, Francisco Nunez, Carlos Gruber, Dale Cain, Bill Tisdale, and Tom Harris. I catch myself quoting these guys in sermons often.
 
 
 

Just recently Jim has released his new book When Faith Takes Flight. You can get this book through online (click the book) or through the church office.
 
In 1995, Jim joined the staff of Bear Valley and moved to Denver with his wife Connie and two daughters, Wendy and Bethie. Jim Walters became senior pastor in 2001, following six years of serving on the staff. He succeeds Jimmy Smith and Frank Tillapaugh as only the third senior pastor in thirty years.
 
A former USAF fighter pilot and instructor pilot, Jim came to Christ while in Southeast Asia back in 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Texas, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He still teaches flying as a hobby, and says that "riding in planes with student pilots at the controls is a good way to keep one's prayer life in order."
 
Jim first visited Bear Valley in 1990, at one of the "Unleashing The Church" conferences. He took those principles back to Texas and applied them at Casa View Baptist, where he sponsored several church plants in the Dallas-Ft.Worth area. Jim says... "Kingdom growth is more important to us than church growth, and we will always be about the business of establishing new churches in Denver."
 
Connie is a legal assistant at a local law firm, and co-teaches "Heart to Heart," a Sunday morning women's class at Bear Valley. Wendy is a hair stylist at Michael of the Carlyle Salon, and leads a small group in the youth department. Bethie is a social worker in Denver, and sings with the Bear Valley praise team once a month. Wendy and Bethie are both accomplished singers, and enjoy using their singing skills at church and in the community.
 
Jim's forte is practical teaching of the Bible with personal applications to everyday life. You'll find his sermons to be high-energy, uplifting, and encouraging.