Pastor Jim Cords was born and raised in Lynwood California and earned his college degree from Azusa Pacific University and his M.Div from Luther Seminary.

He was ordained in 1990 and has served 3 congregations in California (San Diego, Santa Rosa and Cupertino). He has served in Tucson since 2003, first at Tanque Verde Lutheran Church, and for the last 9 years at Desert Hope. His last 9 years of ministry with Desert Hope Lutheran Church and LCMC have been particularly blessed with opportunities to grow and to be engaged with pastors and other faith communities throughout Tucson. The congregation partners with the global church, serving with Hope School in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Mission of Hope in Haiti, and lead a shelter building ministry in Agua Prieta, Mexico. Locally, they partner with Gridley Middle School, Department of Child Safety via Care Portal, and John 17 to bring glory to God in the city and grow in friendship with brothers and sisters in Christ across denominational and racial lines.

He is married to Marilyn Cords for 33 years and has two grown children and three grandchildren.