James Livingstone Myles

James Livingstone Myles was called to his eternal home on a bright Sunday morning, June 1st 2025. He was born July 10th, 1945 in Woodbury, NJ to Thomas and Rachel Myles. The second of six children, he attended high school in Moorestown, NJ, where he played football and ran track (short distance and hurdles). He was voted best dancer and class clown of his 1964 graduating class. Jim attended a Methodist church in his hometown, but it wasn’t until his family moved to a local Baptist church that the Holy Spirit began stirring in his soul. At a local Billy Graham crusade, Jim made a profession of faith that would inform both his identity and his vocation in the years to come.

He double majored at Philadelphia College of Bible, then earned a Masters of Theology from Capital Bible Seminary in Washington, DC. While attending seminary, Jim met and married Brenda McSwain.

Jim served as head pastor of Ballston Baptist Church for 4 years. As his young family grew, he was forced to seek employment which offered more financial stability. Over the next dozen years Jim was the chief engineer of reputable hotels in the greater Washington DC area. However, God prepared a way for His servant to lead another congregation, and from 1999 Jim shepherded the congregation at Grace Independent Baptist church (GIBC) until he retired.

Outside of his vocation, Jim enjoyed reading, piloting small aircraft, and working with his hands. His ability to fix anything and everything was one of the tangible ways Jim served his congregations at GIBC. However, the effect of his faithful teaching of God’s word will continue to produce fruit in the lives of people for generations to come.

Jim is survived by his wife, Brenda Karen Myles, and his legacy of faith is carried on in his five children, James (Kelly), Brian (Kendra), Kimberly (Josh), Steven(Rebecca), and Gail (David), as well as his ten grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Thomas Myles (Laurie), Susan Preston (Tom), Corby (Eleanor), Kathleen Valle and Howard Myles.

The funeral service for James Myles will be held on Saturday June 7th, 1:00pm at Grace Independent Baptist Church in Crownsville, Maryland. A live stream of the service will be available at: www.gibcmd.com/events. A celebration of life will be held on July 11th at the Cape St. Claire Clubhouse in Annapolis, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to GAIN (Global Aid Network) and Samaritan’s Purse Ministry.