James Horton is a native of the Shoals area. He attended Sheffield High School and Mars Hill Bible School before receiving degrees from Freed-Hardeman and Abilene Christian Universities. He has preached for churches in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. James is a certified instructor of motivational courses and has considerable experience in the marketing of securities and other investment products. He has conducted numerous gospel meetings and has spoken on several college lectureships.

James and his wife recently moved to north Mississippi after thirty years in Fort Worth, TX. James met his wife, Rose, while both were students at Freed-Hardeman. Their son, Jim, and his wife, Kami, and two grandchildren, Kadie and Eli, live and worship in Searcy, AR. Pencil drawing, wood carving, fishing, hunting, pistol shooting and traveling are among his favorite things to do.