Reverend Cean James is the Senior Pastor of Salt & Light, an interdenominational, intergenerational congregation worshiping and working in Southwest Philadelphia and Mt. Airy. In 2005 Pastor James planted Grace Christian Fellowship, which merged with New Spirit Community church to form Salt & Light in 2020. Salt & Light represents the union of churches that have been ministering in Philadelphia for over 150 years. We are that rare combination of Pentecostal fire and social justice activism; we worship and fight for justice under the power of the Holy Spirit. We are blessed to have over 600 courageous souls joining us in the work of building His Kingdom.
Rev. James completed his undergraduate studies at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University with a BS in biology and received his Masters of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia. Pastor James is currently a dissertation phase Doctoral candidate at Lancaster Theological Seminary.
Pastor James also serves the wider church as the Associate Conference Minister of Congregational Development for the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference, UCC. In this role, Pastor James works with the churches of the conference in renewal, vitality, growth, and planting new ministries. Pastor James is also the Director of the CityLights Network, a capacity-building nonprofit in Southwest Philadelphia. Pastor James is also a board member of United Lutheran Seminary, The Common Place, and Chestnut Hill Youth Sports Association.
Rev. James is married to the former Kesha Barton of Columbia, SC. Kesha, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, practices law in the public interest. They have been blessed with three sons, Clarence Milton, Jesse Joseph, and Cean Benjamin.
