“Epimeleomai” is a popular Greek word used in the New Testament. It means “to take very good care of someone or a thing.” Epimeleomai fitly describes the character of the pastoral team and congregation of Careview Community Church, in Lansdowne. The people at this church are genuinely loving, kind, and very caring toward one another.
“The warmness and reception I received (upon joining),” were the two things that attracted and have anchored Doris Waller at Careview for seven years. Doris, 75, is amazed at how personal the sermons are, “Pastor Paul James delivers very personal sermons. (when he preaches) it seems as though he was up in my house spying on me; his leadership is outstanding!” Doris admires the fact that members can’t get lost in the crowd, she said. James is keen at acknowledging and recognizing his members. Whether they sit in the front of the sanctuary or attempt to be incognito sitting in the rear of the church, he’s aware of who’s who. A true spiritual shepherd knows his flock. Before her struggle with arthritis, Doris was very active in the drama ministry. No surprise there; just listening to her speak easily inspires and enlivens those around her.
David Jackson, 38, has been a member of Careview for five years. His ministry activism includes overseeing evangelism, and he participates in the prison and men’s discipleship ministries. Describing his senior pastor, he is proud to serve under James, “… A man of God who wants to get to the authentic person!” David said the church is gearing up for its “Care Fest” (July 18), a major community outreach event that will include vendors, games, free food, health screenings, free haircuts, free car washes, and a host of other activities and services for the community to enjoy.
“Everyone (at Careview) is deeply involved in the success of your life,” said Danielle Tucker, 19, a member for “all my life,” she laughingly proclaims. She says youths at Careview don’t have to wait until adulthood to take on leadership roles to serve at the church. The church leaders encourage them to “serve God right now,” explained Danielle. Among her many accomplishments, she will graduate from Delaware County Community College this fall. She’s active with Careview’s audiovisual ministry, ACT drama ministry, and the Verge young adult ministry.
As a third-generation pastor, the Rev. Paul James is spiritually well equipped, well educated and well gifted to send Careview into a higher stratosphere of ministry excellence. He has rooted Careview’s mission and core values in a God-centered lifestyle that’s reflected in Isaiah 55:1-13. Careview’s official philosophy is “Caring, Accepting, Reaching, Edifying” (CARE).
“I’ve been pastoring for 20 years,” said James, and 16 of those years have been spent as the senior pastor and founder of Careview, a church with approximately 500 members. “I realized that I was best suited to pioneering a church,” he admitted. His first senior pastorate role was at First Baptist Church of Oakeola, in Glenolden, Delaware County.
When asked about what unique factors and distinguishing characteristics define Careview, James said, “We are committed to creating a Biblical context in shaping what we do … being creative in our methodology… (and) … preaching (and teaching) the Word of God.”
James is a towering man with a compassionate heart that’s even bigger. He is one of the most eloquent communicators you will ever meet, and a talented musician. Commenting about his original career goal, he admitted, “I thought I’d be an opera singer or classical singer.” James graduated from Settlement Music School and was offered an opera theater scholarship to attend Temple University. While studying vocal performance at Temple, he eventually felt a call to serve in ministry and transferred to Philadelphia Biblical University (PBU) in Langhorne. This gifted pastor/teacher, concert artist, songwriter, seminar/workshop speaker, and soon-to-be author, earned his dual degrees in Bible and music at PBU.
First lady Christine James, is the vision pastor of Careview, “My main role is to facilitate (the church) vision.” She ensures that all the ministries of Careview are consistent in adhering to the church’s seven core values outlined in Isaiah 55:1-13; she enforces church policies and is actively involved in the women’s ministry, worship and arts ministry, and discipleship. The pastoral couple has three children: Jason, a graphic artist at Eastern University; Josh, who works for a beverage distributor; and daughter Janine, a senior at Eastern University.
One of Careview’s members is somewhat of a celebrity: Randolph Walters is the Family Life pastor and a licensed clinical psychologist, and has been a featured guest on national television and in local media for his expertise on dating and marital relationship issues. He said, “At Careview, there is a lot of accountability. (The pastors and congregants) have good accountability with one another.” His private counseling practice, Randolph Walters and Associates, LLC, is located in Philadelphia.
Kyle Carey, 48, is the chairman of the deacons at Careview, he’s been a member for six years. What’s been his greatest experience as a member of Careview? “Traveling to Liberia for a missions trip to set up funding to support an orphanage,” he said. He likens Careview to a hospital, “We are a triage unit for wounded people (locally and abroad). There’s healing in serving,” he explained.
Careview Community Church is located at 77 S. Union Ave., Lansdowne. Sunday services are at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday Bible study, 7 p.m. For more information about Careview or its other weekly services and ministries, contact the church: (610)-259-2273.
