Dr. Wayne Darbonne
Senior Pastor, Head of Staff
Pastor Wayne is passionate about the local church and its God-given mission in the world. Wayne grew up on the Central Coast of California where he came to know Jesus Christ through the lives of others, including his high school sweetheart and wife Robin. He served three churches in California and Ohio before becoming our pastor in 2006. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (MIS), a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree with a concentration in Gospel and Culture from Columbia Theological Seminary. Wayne loves being involved in our community, including serving as an Adjunct Professor at Denver Seminary teaching courses in evangelism, discipleship and leadership; he also served as the lead chaplain for Littleton Police Department. His wife Robin is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with her own practice, Momentum Mental Health here in Littleton. Wayne and Robin love spending time with their three adult children, enjoying the outdoors and traveling. Send Wayne a message
Pastor Jim Stuart
Parish Associate
Born and raised through high school in suburban Minneapolis, I remain a staunch Minnesotan at heart, though my Colorado roots go way back as well. My wife Sally and I attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs, and following seminary at Princeton, we received our first call in ministry here at St. James. Teaming with Sally, I served as Youth Pastor at St. James from 1974-79. I then became Associate Pastor of Parish Life at St. James, and served with Head Pastor Les Avery from 1979-83. It was a great 9 years, a wonderful way to begin in ministry in this warm and relational congregation.
From Littleton our family (now with 3 small children, Chris, Scott and Linnaea) moved to Willmar, MN in 1983, where I received my first head of staff position, and where we served the Lord until 1987. At that time God called me to a second head of staff position in Windham, NH (38 miles north of Boston), where Sally and I raised our kids and I settled into a long ministry of 26 years.
In August, 2013, we returned to Colorado to live in close proximity with our adult kids and 2 granddaughters. God was so good to provide, first, an Interim Pastor position at first Presbyterian Church in Littleton (for 15 months), and then, wonderfully, a part time Parish Associate position here at St. James beginning in June of 2015. What a joy to have come full circle! I’m loving it!
At age 67 now (!) I remain very active with the wonderful outdoor opportunities in Colorado to hike and bike and cross country ski. I enjoy working out at the YMCA as well, and playing the piano is an enjoyable outlet and change of pace for me (as well as reading at Starbucks!). Send Jim a message
Pastor Michael Thornton
Youth and Young Adults Pastor
I love participating in what God is doing here in the Littleton region to further establish his kingdom in the here and now. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, I later attended King College, a small, Presbyterian liberal arts college located in the beautiful Appalachia town of Bristol, Tennessee. After college I served alongside missionaries in East Africa for six months before moving to Colorado to attend Denver Seminary. During this time of completing the M.Div. degree, I met and married my best friend, Cassie. Cassie is an Occupational Therapist from Boulder, Colorado and we share many passions, most of which revolve around spending quality time together in the outdoors. Our favorite ways to recreate are to hike, camp, fish, and bike – sometimes all in the same weekend! We are also big soccer fans having both played in college.
Stepping into a role that seeks to make disciples while sharing the best news of all that through Jesus we have peace with God is a dream come true for me. What also sealed the deal is being able to join a GREAT staff and elder team. St. James is an oasis for my wife and me. I sincerely hope that wherever you’re reading this bio (and whatever season of life you find yourself in) you feel the warmest of invitations from us in the St. James family to stop on by and, as the psalmist says, “taste and see that the Lord is good!” If you’re up for it, there’s a community here on the corner of Bellevue and Lowell waiting to welcome you home.
Mary Ramsour
Director of Worship & the Arts
It is Mary’s joy to be Director of Worship and the Arts at St. James. She loves preparing musical groups and soloists to lead the congregation in the worship of our great God, and to share, through music and other artistic expressions, the love of Jesus Christ with everyone who enter the doors of St. James. Mary’s background is as a classical singer and she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance and Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy — both from the University of Colorado. Mary was blessed to enter church music and has led both instrumental and vocal groups. Her goal is to help the artists, singers and musicians here at St. James develop their gifts and to encourage all members of the congregation to join in the beautiful act of worship.
Mary is married to her college sweetheart, Bo, and they have three daughters — Anne, Abby and Grace. She loves hanging out with her family, although is doubtful she will never master the Wii! Mary is always available to chat with you and explore how you can become a member of one of our creative teams! Send Mary a message
Kristy Lapp
Director of Children’s Ministries
I am passionate about children and helping them to know Christ in real and life-transforming ways, becoming difference-makers in the world. I love to play with kids, modeling for them how their heavenly Father welcomes their company, play, laughter, and even their strong emotions. I am from Damascus, Maryland: I grew up with a twin sister and an older brother. When I was about nine, a neighbor invited me to church and I attended Neelsville Presbyterian Church through High School. It was in college that those seeds from children’s church and youth group blossomed into a fully dedicated life to Christ and a call to ministry. I received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Charleston Southern University. My jobs have included leading mission camps, social work, and preschool teaching. In 2012, I ventured out to Colorado to attend Denver Seminary where I received a Master of Arts in Christian Formation and Soul Care. My values in ministry are soul care, children and family focus, and outreach to the least of these which God has woven deeply into who I am. This position at St. James is a gift to me that gives me the chance to utilize all three! Send Kristy a message
Cindy Smith
Director of St. James Preschool
Cindy Smith is the Director of St. James Preschool and has been in the field of early childhood education for 30 years and is beginning her 6th year at St. James Presbyterian Church. She is passionate about building and supporting a team of leaders who are committed to providing a Christian environment that enables children to fully explore their innate potential. “What happens in the first five years of a child’s life builds the brain and also ultimately impacts our entire community. My faith calls me to ensure that all children, wherever they spend their early years, get the highest quality experiences and care. Children are created in God’s image, “crowned with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:5) When we honor them, we honor God.”
The preschool is committed to equip children with tools that will provide a strong foundation, inspiring a lifetime of learning.
Love is the foundation and is something that cannot be measured or described fully. So many of our families believe that there is a feeling of love and caring that can be felt when you enter our preschool. This comes from our belief in Jesus Christ and is lived out by our dedicated staff that is the heart of St. James Preschool. We are a school family.
The following core values form the framework that guides us.
• Rooted in faith
• Grounded in the significance of early childhood development (a unique time)
• Cultivate nurturing relationships
• Provide a caring, supportive environment
• Believe in the power of play
Send Cindy a message
Susan Dodds
Bookkeeper
Since July 2012 I’ve been the bookkeeper at St. James and feel blessed to be a member of such a wonderful staff!
After college I moved from Washington to Colorado and was employed in the accounting end of the oil and gas industry for many years. I met my future husband, Vince – also originally from Washington – while working for him in the early 1980’s. We’ve recently celebrated 30 years of marriage and have two great kids, Monica 27 and Parker 26. During the stay-at-home-mom years in the mid-90s, we moved to El Paso, TX. Vince promised it was just for a couple of years – it ended up being a dozen! When both kids were in middle school I began working part time as the bookkeeper for our church in El Paso and found that I absolutely loved it. With both kids attending colleges in Colorado, Vince and I bid Texas farewell and happily returned to Colorado, settling in Highlands Ranch in 2009.
I’ve really enjoyed getting to know many, many of the Saint James folks, and hope that I can serve them and the Lord well. Send Susan a message
Neil Johnson
Technical Manager
Neil’s first education into sound systems was at the age of 8 when he was asked to record Sunday sermons to be put on the local radio station. Neil is our full time volunteer Technical Manager overseeing the daily functions and operations of the Audio/Visual equipment, the church internet and WiFi connectivity, computer network and telephones here at St James.
I am so glad that Cindy brought me to this place because of an experience that she had as a teenager here at St James. It was evident within a very short time that God wanted us to be here. I have enjoyed the time in the choirs and men’s group where we have grown in the Lord as a group of people seeking God’s direction. I am happy to be able to serve as a Deacon, Elder, and Elder Commissioner representing St James in our world, whether in this building, in the Denver Presbytery, on our block, or at the corner café or restaurant. Send Neil a message
Destiny Lambson-Morrison
Office Manager
I am so lucky to be a part of such a talented, caring and uplifting staff! I have been the office manager at St. James since July 2017 and look forward to many more years as a part of the church.
As a child I moved from Northern California to Illinois and finally to Colorado when I was 10. I graduated from Columbine High School in 2014 and, after a brief time in the military, sought out a Marketing Degree from Metropolitan State University. My passions include hiking, traveling, horse back riding, spending time with my family and crafting anything from paintings to lattes. My life goals are to see the world, train horses and share the love of God with as many people as I can. I look forward to growing with St. James and getting to know all of its amazing members! Send Destiny a message