James Thornton was elected superintendent of the Northeast Oklahoma District on 6 June 2026 during the district’s 74th assembly. Thornton currently serves as pastor of Tulsa Hills Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma.
“Anything that is beautiful and effective about the church is because of the grace of Jesus,” Thornton said. “These are exciting days to be a part of the Northeast Oklahoma District. We have a strong legacy to celebrate and a promising future to embrace.”
Thornton’s new assignment will be effective 6 July 2026. He will follow David McKellips, who has led the Northeast Oklahoma District since 2006.
Thornton holds a bachelor’s degree in theology and Christian education (1991) and a master’s in church leadership (2009) from Southern Nazarene University. In addition, he holds a master’s in organizational leadership and human behavior (2025) from Amberton University.
He served as a pastor at Colorado Springs Eastborough Church of the Nazarene in Colorado from 1991-93, Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene in Arizona from 1993-1995, and Corvallis Life Community Church of the Nazarene in Oregon from 1995-1997.
In September of 1997, he was called to be the pastor of Grants Pass Church of the Nazarene in Oregon, serving there until March of 1999. In March of ’99, he was called to pastor Tulsa Hills Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma, where he has served since.
In addition to pastoring the local church, Thornton served as director of the Northeast Oklahoma District’s men’s ministries from 2007-2010, district advisory board in 2006, the Board of Trustees at Southern Nazarene University since 2022, and as the district secretary since 2007.
Jim’s wife, Christine Thornton, also serves on staff at Tulsa Hills Church of the Nazarene and is an ordained deacon in the Church of the Nazarene. Jim and Christine have been married since 1990. Together they have three adult sons, two daughters-in-law, and five granddaughters.