Rev. James E. Simpson
1984 Educator of the Year

"The church has a unique function in the world which demands the best of all its members. The work of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and witnessing to the power and love of God can be furthered or hindered by our attitudes and actions. Technological devices, instruments, and media can be barriers or bridges between persons... Apathy and encouragement of teachers and leaders can be offset by the excitement of new approaches and concrete helps."

The Rev. James E. Simpson was ordained in 1949 in a Congregational Church in Nebraska. He served as Minister of Education in Duluth, MN and as a pastor in Pasco and Port Townsend, WA. For nine years he was on the staff of the Board of Christian Education, UPCUSA, in Philadelphia, where he edited Junior High Kits and the Vacation Church School and camping materials. He excelled in designing and teaching courses in Synod Schools and in leading workshops across the country.

In 1973 he became Associate Executive for Leader Development in the Synod of Alaska-Northwest. In the fifteen years that he has been with the Synod, he has created writers workshops to develop Concern Magazine Bible study resources in nine languages, camping materials for junior, junior high, senior high and intergenerational groups, and education materials for the small church.

He is a creative and innovative educator, a person who has touched the lives of many people throughout the denomination, a man who truly deserves the award of Educator of the Year.