James is a self-starting, personable, passionate, strategic-connector who is committed to (and has numerous years working in) faith-based Christian ministry work. He is a highly-relational go-getter and non-profit development professional with major fundraising experience. Mr. Westbrook is a graduate of a Bay Area Seminary and has an undergraduate degree in History/Religious studies.
James has proven success in establishing and cultivating relationships with major donors, prospects, and supporters of diverse backgrounds. Mr. Westbrook’s experience largely includes nonprofit leadership, development, innovation, restorative justice work, volunteer mobilization and strategic partnership development to name a few. James enjoys overseeing teams and communications, managing projects, and revamping of organizations and branding, to increase streamlining capacity as well as the reach of an organization to help others. Additionally, James has led and raised millions of dollars on behalf of various nonprofit organizations and ventures throughout his many years of Nonprofit work.
Professionally, James has worked as a Business professional in several fields–most recently serving as the Director of Beyond Jobs, at Mission: St. Louis, in St. Louis, MO: Director of Programs and Innovation at Seed to Oaks in Louisville, KY, and, he is currently the Senior Planting Pastor of The Realm Church in Oakland, CA.
James is married to his High School Sweetheart Desiree’ who is a legal and nonprofit professional. Together, they have two darling kids who are fun-loving, and full of inventions to help to make Oakland and the World a better place. They enjoy serving in Oakland as a family, and they sincerely believe that some of the best “medicine” in the world is to serve and help others. Mr. Westbrook is thankful for the great team at the Telegraph Ministry Center and he is also thankful for the opportunity to serve alongside them in this new capacity. Teamwork makes the dream work!