Our Pastor

Dr. Cynthia Rembert James has been described as having "a transparent devoutness, coupled with a glaring scholarship.” Dr. James seeks to model the absolute importance of Godly consecrated study and preparation. She incarnates the admonition of II Timothy 2:15 and is a gift to the Body of Christ fervently and rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

Pastor James is a Christian Psychologist who pastors two local congregations in Oakland, California, and brings an intellectually sound yet fervent approach to ministry.  She provides oversight for the credentialing, counseling, and pastoral care of approximately 140 pastors and ministers serving 60 Church of God congregations in the Northern California, Northern Nevada, and Hawaii district.  

In recognition of thirteen years of diligent and exemplary service to these districts and to the church at large, in 2001, Dr. James was consecrated to the office of Bishop and serves as the Presiding Elder of the United Covenant Fellowship, a newly formed collaborative body of approximately 10 independent churches and ministries. In 2002, Bishop Cynthia James was granted the esteemed privilege of becoming the first female Bishop elected to the Board of Bishops for the Joint College of African American Pentecostal Bishops' Congress. Founded and Chaired by Bishop J.D. Ellis, II.  Bishop James has also served as the Former Secretary General of the World Bishops Council.

Dr. James has earned two Doctorate Degrees, one in Psychology from Rutgers University, and a second Doctorate of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, . Additionally, she was awarded an honorary doctorate of Divinity from the Southern California School of Ministries. Dr. James has held numerous professorships in Psychology and served as the “Earl Lecturer” for the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, . She has published numerous professional articles and recent releases include “Finding A Placement That Fits” (Sept 2006), received ‘The President's Volunteer Action Award’ for community mobilization and conducted crusades in Finland, Sweden" Estonia, and Johannesburg, South Africa, as well as sponsored mission work in Lithuania.  

Dr. James maintains an active schedule of preaching and conference training engagements but takes immeasurable delight in her family; Rev. Alvin James, her husband of 39 years, and their two sons and one daughter.