Rev. Dr. James M. Hutchens
Director - Jerusalem Connection

Dr. James M. Hutchens is the founder and senior pastor since 1982, of Christ Church of Arlington in Arlington, Virginia, a congregation of The Presbyterian Church in America. He is an ordained minister in the Potomac Presbytery where he formerly served as Moderator.

Dr. Hutchens is a 1960 graduate of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, with a BA in Sociology and a 1964 graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, with a Master of Theology degree. While at Dallas Seminary, he was awarded the Arthur F. Gannett Award in Christian Education and the H.A. Ironside Award in Expository Preaching. His thesis was entitled "A Program of Adult Weekday Education for the Military Chaplaincy." In 1974, he graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California with a Doctor of Missionary (Multi/Cross-Cultural Studies). His dissertation was entitled, "A Case for Messianic Judaism."

He served as an enlisted man in the 11th Airborne Division of the United States Army prior to attending college. It was during his enlisted service that Hutchens came to faith, confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Redeemer. After his initial tour of duty, he completed degrees from college and seminary. He then returned to the Army as a Chaplain in 1964. While serving in Vietnam with the 1/503rd of the 173d Airborne Brigade, he was the first chaplain wounded in the Vietnam War. His book, Beyond Combat, tells of his experience as a combat chaplain.

After completing over 37 years enlisted and commissioned service, both on active duty and with the United States Army Reserves and the Army National Guard, in combat and peace time, with conventional as well as Special Forces (The Green Berets), Dr. Hutchens retired in November 1992 with the rank of Brigadier General. His decorations include: The Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, one with V device for Valor, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, several Viet Nam Campaign ribbons, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Distinguished Service Medal. His awards include the U.S. Army Ranger Tab, the Special Forces full Flash and Tab, the Master Parachutist's Badge and the Eagle Award (from the National Guard Bureau).

Dr. Hutchens has been involved in academia throughout much of his ministry. He served as Chaplain to the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem, Israel, and on its faculty in Biblical Studies. He served as Chaplain to his alma mater, Wheaton College, as well as on the faculty as assistant professor of New Testament Studies. He has served on the faculty of Chesapeake Theological Seminary in Columbia, Maryland and on the National Lewis University (Northern Virginia) Advisory Board. He has been a member of various civic and religious organizations, including Rotary International.

In addition he serves as President and Chairman of the Board of Christians for Israel (USA) and Editor of its newspaper, The Jerusalem Connection. He also authors a daily (Monday to Friday) email entitled Dateline: Heaven (see http://www.datelineheaven.com)

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