James Merritt Bio, Age, Wife, Family, Children, Career, Net Worth, and Salary
Who Is James Merritt?
James Gregory Merritt is an American pastor, author, Bible teacher, and television broadcaster known for his straightforward preaching and commitment to Christian evangelism. He serves as senior pastor of Cross Pointe Church in Duluth, Georgia, and hosts Touching Lives, a Christian media ministry that shares his Bible teaching with audiences across the United States and internationally. His career also includes two years as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, a position that placed him among the prominent leaders of American evangelical Christianity.
Merritt’s journey began in Georgia, where he grew up in a community that helped shape his values and faith. He became a Christian as a child and later decided to devote his life to ministry. What began as a personal commitment developed into a career spanning local church leadership, theological education, national denominational service, television broadcasting, and Christian publishing. Through these different roles, he has focused on explaining biblical teachings in ways that connect with everyday life, family relationships, personal character, and spiritual growth.
Beyond the pulpit, Merritt has written books on Christian living, parenting, leadership, and faith. His work through Touching Lives has also given him a platform beyond the churches he has personally led. Although his professional life is well documented, details such as his exact height, personal net worth, and current salary have not been reliably established in public sources.
James Merritt Age and Early Life
James Merritt is 73 years old as of 2026. He was born on December 22, 1952, in Gainesville, Georgia, and grew up in nearby Oakwood. His upbringing in Georgia remained an important part of his identity, even as his ministry eventually reached audiences across the country and beyond.
Merritt has described his childhood as modest and rooted in a close-knit community. In a 2002 interview with Baptist Press, he recalled growing up in a small town where people knew one another and neighbors did not feel the need to lock their doors at night. His father earned a relatively modest weekly income, and Merritt’s recollections reflect the ordinary working-family background from which he emerged.
Faith became a defining influence early in his life. Merritt became a Christian at nine years old, beginning a relationship with Christianity that would eventually shape his education, career, and public life. His decision to enter ministry came later, as he moved from childhood faith toward a more deliberate commitment to preaching and church leadership.
In 1974, at approximately 21 years old, Merritt committed himself to full-time Christian ministry. That decision marked a turning point in his life, setting him on a path that would take him through several churches before he became a nationally recognized pastor and denominational leader.
James Merritt Height
James Merritt’s exact height has not been reliably documented. Assigning him a specific measurement without dependable evidence would be misleading.
James Merritt Family Background
Merritt was raised in Oakwood, Georgia, in a family and community that influenced his early outlook on life. His memories of growing up in a small Southern town have shaped how he describes his background and the experiences that preceded his ministry career. He later moved away to attend college and pursue theological training, but Georgia remained central to his professional life.
His personal faith developed into a vocation that involved not only preaching but also mentoring, teaching, and helping churches grow. Rather than pursuing a career outside the church, Merritt chose a path that required years of study and service in different congregations. His experience across several states provided a foundation for the pastoral leadership and denominational responsibilities that followed.
Family remains an important part of his public biography. Merritt has frequently addressed subjects such as parenting, character, relationships, and the responsibilities of fathers in his writing and teaching. These subjects are also reflected in books he has written for Christian families and men seeking to apply biblical principles to everyday decisions.
James Merritt Wife: Who Is Teresa Merritt?
James Merritt is married to Teresa Merritt, whom he married in 1976. Their marriage has lasted approximately 50 years as of 2026. Although James has spent much of his professional life in the public eye, the couple has generally kept their personal life more private than his ministry and leadership work.
Teresa has been part of Merritt’s life throughout his development as a pastor, author, and broadcaster. Their marriage began before he reached national prominence, during the early stages of his ministry. Over the decades, the couple has raised three sons and built a family while James served congregations in different parts of the American South and took on increasingly visible responsibilities within the Southern Baptist Convention.
Merritt’s family life also connects with the subjects he discusses in his books. His writing on fatherhood, parenting, and Christian character reflects an interest in how faith can influence the way people treat their spouses, raise their children, and make decisions. However, detailed information about Teresa’s private life, occupation, and personal activities is not widely documented in authoritative public biographies.
James Merritt Children
James and Teresa Merritt have three sons: James Jr., Jonathan, and Joshua. The family also includes daughters-in-law and five grandchildren, according to the official Touching Lives ministry biography.
Merritt’s role as a father has been reflected in his writing, particularly in his book What God Wants Every Dad to Know. The book focuses on lessons fathers can teach their children, drawing on biblical principles concerning responsibility, friendships, work ethic, finances, communication, and personal conduct. Its subject matter reflects his interest in helping parents approach family life as an important part of their Christian commitment.
Although some members of the Merritt family have appeared in public discussions connected to his ministry, the family generally maintains a degree of privacy. Consequently, a detailed account of each son’s career, relationships, or personal circumstances should not be assumed where reliable public information is unavailable.
James Merritt Education
Merritt pursued both business education and theological training before establishing himself as a full-time pastor. He attended Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting, graduating cum laude in 1974. His undergraduate education gave him a foundation in business and financial principles before he continued into professional ministry.
After graduating from Stetson, Merritt attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1978 and completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree in evangelism in 1982. His advanced education helped prepare him for the work of preaching, church leadership, theological instruction, and evangelistic outreach.
His academic background is notable because it combines undergraduate study in accounting with graduate-level theological education. Rather than separating his education from his career, Merritt applied his training through the practical responsibilities of running a church, teaching Scripture, leading ministry organizations, and communicating Christian beliefs to different audiences.
James Merritt Career and Ministry
His First Steps in Ministry
Merritt’s professional ministry began in the early 1970s. One of his first positions was as a youth and activities minister at Blackshear Place Baptist Church in Georgia. He later served at First Baptist Church of Smyrna, where he worked as an associate pastor and minister of youth. These early responsibilities gave him experience in church programs, pastoral care, preaching, and working with congregations.
After completing his theological studies, Merritt served churches in Kentucky and Mississippi before returning to Georgia. He pastored Macedonia Baptist Church in Kentucky from 1976 to 1979, followed by Buck Grove Baptist Church from 1979 to 1983. He then served Highland Baptist Church in Laurel, Mississippi, from 1983 to 1985. These appointments formed part of a gradual progression through pastoral positions before his move into larger-scale church leadership.
First Baptist Church of Snellville
In 1985, Merritt became pastor of First Baptist Church of Snellville, Georgia. He remained there until 2003, a period that established him as a prominent pastor in the Atlanta area. The church experienced substantial growth during his tenure. Baptist Press reported in 2000 that the congregation had grown from approximately 2,000 members when he arrived to more than 11,000.
His work in Snellville also helped expand his visibility within the Southern Baptist Convention. As his pastoral responsibilities grew, Merritt became involved in denominational committees and leadership positions. These roles connected his local church experience with the wider organizational life of the denomination and prepared him for his eventual election as its president.
President of the Southern Baptist Convention
One of the most significant milestones in Merritt’s career came in 2000, when he was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). He served two terms, from 2000 to 2002. The position placed him in a prominent role within a denomination made up of thousands of churches and numerous affiliated ministries.
During his presidency, Merritt represented the denomination at a time when Southern Baptists were considering questions about church leadership, evangelism, denominational priorities, and the role of younger generations in religious life. In interviews, he spoke about the importance of connecting national leadership with local congregations and helping church members understand their denomination’s work.
His election reflected years of involvement in denominational service, including committee assignments and participation in the SBC Executive Committee. The presidency broadened his public profile beyond the Atlanta area and strengthened his standing as a voice in American evangelical Christianity.
Founding and Leading Cross Pointe Church
In 2003, Merritt began serving at Cross Pointe, the Church at Gwinnett Center, in Georgia. The church later became known as Cross Pointe Church and is based in Duluth. Merritt serves as its senior pastor, continuing the local church ministry that has been central to his career.
Cross Pointe provides the setting for his regular preaching and pastoral work. His responsibilities include teaching the congregation, guiding its spiritual life, and serving as a public representative of the church. Although Merritt receives invitations to speak at events around the country and internationally, Cross Pointe states that his first responsibility is his ministry to the local congregation.
Touching Lives Television Ministry
Merritt is also the host of Touching Lives, a television and media ministry dedicated to sharing Christian teaching and the message of the Gospel. The program makes his sermons and related resources available through television and digital platforms. It provides an additional channel for reaching people who may not attend Cross Pointe in person.
The ministry reports that its broadcasts reach all 50 U.S. states and more than 140 countries. Its website also provides sermons, articles, devotionals, and other materials designed to support Christian learning and spiritual growth. This international reach has helped make Merritt’s preaching accessible to audiences well beyond his home congregation.
His approach emphasizes presenting biblical teaching clearly and connecting it with questions people face in daily life. Through television and digital distribution, Touching Lives extends the work of the local church into homes, online communities, and audiences across different countries.
James Merritt Books
Writing is another important part of Merritt’s career. His books explore Christian living, evangelism, family relationships, personal character, and the application of biblical teachings to everyday decisions. His work is published through Christian publishing outlets, including Harvest House Publishers.
Among his published titles are:
- 52 Weeks with Jesus
- God, I’ve Got a Question
- Still Standing
- How to Impact and Influence Anybody
- What God Wants Every Dad to Know
- Character Still Counts
These books address different aspects of faith and practical living. 52 Weeks with Jesus encourages readers to spend sustained time studying the life and teachings of Jesus. What God Wants Every Dad to Know focuses on fatherhood and the lessons parents can pass on to their children. Character Still Counts examines the importance of integrity and personal character, themes that Merritt has also discussed in interviews about Christian leadership.
Merritt’s writing complements his preaching by giving readers material they can study at their own pace. His books also make his teaching available to people who may first encounter him through television, church services, or online resources.
Awards, Recognition, and Public Influence
Merritt’s public influence comes primarily from his pastoral service, broadcasting, writing, and leadership within the Southern Baptist Convention. His presidency from 2000 to 2002 remains one of the most visible achievements of his career, while his work at Cross Pointe and Touching Lives continues to define his ministry.
Merritt’s experience has also attracted attention from mainstream media. His biography and publisher profiles note interviews and appearances involving outlets such as Time, Fox News, MSNBC, and 60 Minutes. These appearances reflect the broader public interest in his views on faith, leadership, and religious life in the United States.
Rather than being known for a single book or one period of leadership, Merritt has built his reputation through several connected areas of work. His career encompasses local pastoral care, national denominational leadership, Christian media, and writing for individual readers and families.
James Merritt Net Worth
James has an estimated net worth of $3 million. This is mainly attributed to his publications and evangelism career.
James Merritt Salary
His non-profit organization, Touching Lives Inc., reported approximately $2.67 million in revenue and total assets of roughly $1.17 million in recent filings, which reflects organizational finances rather than personal wealth.
Where Is James Merritt Now?
James Merritt continues to serve as senior pastor of Cross Pointe Church in Duluth, Georgia, and as host of Touching Lives. His ongoing work includes preaching, teaching, and making Christian resources available through the ministry’s broadcast and digital platforms.
His ministry remains focused on evangelism and helping people understand and apply biblical teachings. The Touching Lives website continues to provide sermons, articles, devotional material, and other resources for viewers and readers. His work therefore reaches beyond Sunday services, allowing people to engage with his teaching throughout the week.
Merritt’s life today reflects the continuity of a career that began with a childhood commitment to Christianity and developed through theological education, pastoral appointments, denominational leadership, and broadcasting. His local church and media ministry remain the principal public settings for his work.
Frequently Asked Questions About James Merritt
How old is James Merritt?
James Merritt was born on December 22, 1952. He is 73 years old in 2026.
Who is James Merritt’s wife?
His wife is Teresa Merritt. They married in 1976 and have been together for approximately 50 years as of 2026.
How many children does James Merritt have?
James and Teresa Merritt have three sons: James Jr., Jonathan, and Joshua. The family also includes five grandchildren.
What church does James Merritt pastor?
He serves as senior pastor of Cross Pointe Church in Duluth, Georgia.
What is James Merritt known for?
He is known for his pastoral leadership, the Touching Lives television ministry, his books on Christian living, and his service as president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2000 to 2002.
Where did James Merritt study?
He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Stetson University, followed by a Master of Divinity degree and a PhD in evangelism from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
What is James Merritt’s net worth?
James has an estimated net worth of $3 million.
