Jim Whalen was born in Ilion, New York and grew up in Cedarville, a small town between the Adirondack and the Catskill mountains of New York.

He moved to Norfolk, Virginia in the 1970’s where he worked at the Virginian Pilot Newspaper for fifteen years. Jim attended Tidewater Community College where he studied Video Production and Studio Art. He did freelance video, photography, and graphic arts work and eventually created a promotional agency with a business partner.

A member of UFMCC since 1979, he has been involved in many ministry roles at New Life MCC of Hampton Roads, to include Vice Moderator of the BOD, Worship Coordinator, Small Groups Ministry Coach, and Lay Chaplain/Deacon.

In 1999 Jim sold the retail store he owned and operated to begin formal study for professional ministry. He graduated, Cum Laude, with a B.A. Degree in Religion from St. Leo University. He earned his Master of Divinity Degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia in 2008.

Jim has been a guest preacher at New Life MCC of Hampton Roads, Appalachian Metropolitan Community Church at St. Albans, West Virginia, and Second Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. Most recently, he has worked on special projects at New Life MCC of Hampton Roads.

Jim and his partner Tony Crisp will celebrate their 36th anniversary October 15, 2010.