Jim Franks was born on Jan. 21, 1950, in Memphis, Tennessee, and now lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.
He has been married to his wife, Sharron, since 1974, and they are the parents of three daughters, Molly (married to Kris Kobernat), Jamie and Kimberlee (married to AaronBrother of Moses, First High Priest Greider). Jim and Sharron are also the grandparents of Austin and Kaden Kobernat.
His relationship with the Church of God began in 1952 when his mother (then 22 years old and the mother of two small children) began listening to Herbert W. Armstrong while living in Michigan City, Indiana. She was convicted of the Sabbath and began to observe it that year. For the next 10 years the family observed the Sabbath (and later the Holy Days) at home. Finally, in 1961, a congregation was formed in Memphis, Tennessee (the family was now living in Arkansas). In the spring of 1962, he began attending the Memphis congregation of the Radio Church of God with his mother, father and sister.
In 1968, a lifelong dream was fulfilled when he was accepted to Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas. He graduated in 1972 after four years of attending classes, working on the college ranch and later in the business office. Upon graduation, he was sent to the field ministry in Atlanta, Georgia, as a ministerial assistant. It was there he became acquainted with Sharron (they had met briefly at a wedding two years earlier). They were married in 1974 and moved to Athens, Georgia, in 1975. This was their first pastorate.
While in Athens they became involved in the early development of the YOU program. Mr. Franks served as the youth district coordinator in 1975 and then later the regional director for the Southeast in 1977. He has been very active in the Church's youth programs from that time on. He served again as district coordinator in New England (1981 to 1987) and later as district coordinator in Texas (1988 to 1993).
In 1979 the Franks were transferred to New England, where he pastored the Boston, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island, congregations for the next eight years. It was while in New England that he began to research the colonial Sabbatarians of Rhode Island. He says, "I found the history of these people to be quite fascinating. The research led to several articles and two television programs during our stay in New England."
The churches in New England experienced tremendous growth during these years. "We were thrilled to see them triple in size during that eight-year period." While in New England he was the Festival coordinator for the Feast of Tabernacles on Cape Cod. Later, he coordinated the Saratoga Springs, New York, site.
In 1987 the Franks were transferred to Houston to pastor the Houston North congregation. In 1990, the Houston North church became Houston North A.M. and P.M. He was the pastor in Houston for the 35th anniversary in 1993 and continued to pastor in Houston until 2006 for a total of 18½ years. In March of 2006, the Houston congregations celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Church in the city of Houston. This was also the year the Franks were transferred to the home office for a new assignment. Mr. Franks took over as the operation manager for Ministerial Services in January of 2006.
"My wife and I have enjoyed each and every area where we have been asked to serve. The people of God are the greatest treasure we have ever known. Our experiences over the past 30 years with these people have provided the true joy in our lives.
"We are now looking forward to the future with hope and conviction." UN
