Early life
and Education
James Avaritt was born in Murfreesboro in 1936 to Thomas
and Willie Blythe Avaritt. He attended Elementary School at
McFadden and High School at Central. After graduation he
went on to Tennessee Temple in Chattanooga and eventually
obtained a Master's Degree at MTSU.
Family
In 1956 Bro. Jim married the love of his life
Edwana Warren. Their marriage has been the model of a
faithful, loving, and supportive relationship. Over the
years their family has grown to include four children,
James Jr., Warren, John, and Janet, four grandchildren, and
one great-grandson.
Ministry
During a revival at the Westvue Baptist Church the 13 year
old Jim was saved and began his journey with the Lord that
would lead to over 50 years in the ministry. Bro. Jim, as
he is affectionatly known, spent his early years in the
ministry teaching the Junior Boys Sunday School class and
being one of the "Preacher Boys" at Westvue. His first
Church was Patterson Baptist in the Patterson Community of
Rutherford County. His other ministries have included:
Mission work in North Nashville
Calvary Baptist-Lawrenceburg, TN
Hickory Valley Church-Lenior City, TN
Trion Heights Baptist Church-Trion, GA-This was his first
full-time pastorate.
Faith Baptist Church-Valdosta, GA
Bellwood Baptist Church-Murfreesboro, TN-As children's
pastor.
Lakeland Baptist Temple-Calvert City, KY
For the last 25 years Bro. Jim has served as pastor here at
Bellwood, faithfully maintaining the continuity of the
ministry begun all those years ago at Westvue with strong
emphasis on the Word of God, the Gospel, and Missions.