The Reverend David Henson
Rector
The Rev. David Henson became the rector of St. James Episcopal Church in August of 2021. Prior to St. James, he served for five years at Trinity Episcopal in Asheville and for four-and-a-half years at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal in North Augusta, S.C. David holds degrees from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif. Prior to being ordained, David was a daily newspaper journalist for four years and a stay-at-home dad for five. David is active in the Diocese of Western North Carolina, having served on the Commission on Ministry and as the preaching instructor for the WNC Iona School of Ministry. He is married to Amber, a family physician for Blue Ridge Community Health, and they have two children in high school, Brendan and Will. In his free time, David enjoys hiking and backpacking, reading sci-fi and fantasy novels and watching movies, spending time with his family, and drinking coffee with friends on his porch.
The Reverend Tim Jones
Deacon
Tim is a native of Henderson County. In 1991 he married Kerry, the love of his life since high school. They raised their two children in Hendersonville. Tim was ordained in the Episcopal Church in 2010 and has served on the clergy team at St. James since 2010. As a vocational deacon, his ministry in the world has focused on feeding the hungry and providing shelter to the unhoused in our region. Since 2001 he has been the Chief Operations Officer for the Hendersonville Rescue Mission where he oversees the daily operations of a 77 bed homeless shelter for men, women and children as well as a free daily feeding program for the public, a drop in day center, a community medical clinic and transitional houses for women and children. Tim serves on many local advisory boards and task forces related to public transportation, affordable housing and other issues that impact the wellbeing of the local community.
Tim is a lover of words and colors. He is an avid hiker, storyteller, poet and artist. His nature photographs and paintings have been featured in numerous gallery exhibitions and public installations in places of healing. He has had three books of poetry published, including a book of blessings for everyday situations in life. Tim passionately believes that creating is part of the essential work of the soul and that art has the power to heal and change the world. Tim often leads tours and facilitates group conversations about the history, symbolism and theology of the stained glass windows at St. James.