The Rev. James Terrell Boston, former president of GEMN, died on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the age of 78. He was at his home in Grant’s Pass, Oregon, in hospice care. Jim was intensely involved with GEMN for 30 years, beginning in 1996, the year the network was incorporated.
“The vital outreach of GEMN in the world mission community was an abiding passion for Jim,” said executive director Titus Presler. “He did all he could to raise the profile of global mission throughout the Episcopal Church, and he believed GEMN had a crucial role in that work.”
Jim served as secretary of the GEMN Board and editor of Facets, the quarterly mission newsletter that GEMN published for a number of years. He served numerous double terms on the Board, taking the requisite year off before being reelected. Jim became president of GEMN in 2015, following the leadership of the Rev. Ted Gaiser. The onset of Alzheimer’s disease prompted him to step back from the presidency in 2018, but he served on the Board until 2022.
“At the end he was just as patient, kind and sweet as he ever was,” said Pamela, his wife of 31 years, about his passing. A memorial service will be held in April. Having herself served as a missionary in Nepal, Pam was also involved with GEMN, where she served in the former Mission Institute and also was treasurer for a time. Condolences may be sent to her at 518 NE Dean Drive, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526, or to pamelaboston5@gmail.com.
Born in Maryland in 1947, Jim Boston graduated from American University in Washington in 1968 and from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in 1976. He received a certificate from Oxford University in 1977, and in 2002 he earned a D.Min. at Virginia Seminary.
Amid his passion for global mission, Jim’s entire ordained ministry was in the Diocese of Oregon, where he was made a priest in 1978. Parishes he served included St. Paul’s in Salem, Christ the King in Stayton, St. Matthew’s in Cave Junction, and St. James in Lincoln City. He pastored St. Luke’s Church in Grant’s Pass from 1987 to 2009.
Jim chaired the Mission Commission of the Diocese of Oregon and supported the work of the former Episcopal Partnership for Global Mission. He served as a deputy to six General Conventions. In other ecclesial commitments he was a member of the Diocesan Council, treasurer for the National Network of Episcopal Clergy Associations, trustee of the Oregon Episcopal School in Portland, jubilee officer for the diocese, and chaplain in the United States Naval Reserve. Jim was an associate of the Order of the Holy Cross.
As part of his Christian discipleship, Jim was committed to service in the wider society. He was a member of the Grants Pass City Council, 2009-10, and served in leadership in the Josephine County Commission for Children and Families. He served as president of Lincoln County Shelter and Service and president of Lincoln County Food Share.
GEMN is grateful to Jim for his service and to God for imbuing him with vision for global mission.
Give rest to your servant, O God, and may light perpetual shine upon him.