James Lucas
March 10, 1942 - MAY 1, 2020
Missionary, Teacher & Author
In 1969 a proud, self-driven logger named James Lucas met Jesus Christ and surrendered his life to the will of God. He was called to preach the gospel to the nations. James Lucas gave away his logging company and became a lifelong missionary. James and Francille live life according to the instruction of Christ given in Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you." Over the years, James and Francille have lived by faith traveling to the nations, preaching the gospel passionately, teaching the word with wisdom, and making disciples consistently.
Their journey began when a man named Orville Tadlock came to their door and shared the good news of Jesus Christ with them. They did not receive the gospel at first but through the persistence of Orville and the working of the Holy Spirit, James and Francille surrendered their lives to Jesus.
New to the faith James and Francille became increasingly more convinced of the worthiness of the call of Jesus to reach the nations and make disciples.
One night James had a dream that he was being called to Mexico. During that same time, God introduced James to a man named Dick York who had been a missionary and felt called to start a training program for sending out missionaries. James attended this training and through Dick York, James Lucas and a few others The Shield of Faith Mission came together, which is still sending missionaries today.
Having such a strong call to move to Mexico, as a missionary, James began to pray about what to do with his very successful logging company. Through much prayer, the Holy Spirit led James to give his company away instead of selling it. This bold step of faith was the beginning of a missionary's life of faith seeking first the kingdom of God and trusting God to provide for every need.
Mexico was only the first nation that James and his family were missionaries in. God also called them to Central America where they spent much time in Belize.
James also went on to other nations such as Russia, Austalia, Kenya, Ghana, and many more.
More recently James has felt a strong sense that God wants to reach Asia. In the last several years James has been making regular trips to countries such as India, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, and others.
Through all of these years, James and Francille have lived their lives surrendered to the mission of Jesus Christ, sharing God's desire to reach every nation.
James Lucas was diagnosed with ALS in late 2019, James went on one last mission trip to Uganda in January of 2020. On this last trip, James was able to see the fruit of his ministry. His disciples had carried on and 70+ discipleship schools had been created across east Africa using his curriculum.
After returning home James spent the last few months of his life ministering to and praying for his family.
James went to be in glory with Jesus Christ on May 1st, 2020.
You can learn more about their journeys in James' Auto Biographical works "Great Things He Has Done" and "He is Worthy". There is also a third part of the autobiography coming soon.
Missions
A map of the many nations James Lucas has shared the gospel in:
United States (including almost every state), Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Brazil, Australia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, India, Bangladesh, Singapore, Myanmar, Nepal, Ivory Coast and, South Korea
SFMI Statement Of Faith
The Bible
We believe in the verbal inspiration of the Old and New Testaments and that they are the supreme and final authority in faith and life. (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21)
Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man. (Matt. 1:23)
Man
We believe that man was created in the image of God and for God but through sin incurred both physical and spiritual death, the latter being separation from God. (Gen. 1:26; Rom. 5:12; Rev. 21:8 Rev. 20:14-15)
Redemption
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, and that on the ground of His shed blood, we are reconciled to God. (Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:19; Eph. 1:7)
Resurrection
We believe in the physical resurrection of the crucified body of the Lord Jesus, in His ascension into heaven, and in His present life there for us at the right hand of the Father as High Priest and Advocate. (Luke 24:39; Acts 1:9; Heb. 4:14-15)
Our Hope
We believe in the Second Coming of Christ for His Church. (1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; 1 John 3:1-2)
Rebirth
We believe that all who receive Jesus Christ as Lord by repentance and faith are saved by grace, being born again of the Spirit. (John 1:12; Acts 20:21; Rom. 10:9-10; Col. 2:6)
Baptism
We believe in the necessity of water baptism by immersion as an act of obedience to our Lord's command. (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:36-38)
Present-Day Life
We believe in the Spirit-filled life, separation from the world, and the perfecting of holiness in the fear of God as an expression of Christian faith. (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 1 John 3:3)
The Church
We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ is comprised solely of believers and is the body and bride of our Lord; that her business on earth presently is to walk in fellowship with Him and to dedicate herself to the preaching of the Gospel to all nations. (Matt. 24:14; Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 1:9; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23)
Judgment
We believe in the resurrection of the just and the unjust; in the everlasting blessedness of the saved and in the everlasting punishment of the lost. (Matt. 25:34, 41, 46; John 5:28-29