The Ocean Beach Pier

About the Book

The Rev. Canon Malcolm Boyd, author of “Are You Running With Me Jesus?” says about this book:

“The genuine quality of these writings leaps off the page. I found raw honesty, probing reflection, and faithful acceptance.”

Come walk on “The Ocean Beach Pier,” sit by the fireplace, and smell the roses with Rev. Jim Hall as he journeys through some rough years and tough decisions. Feel the integrity of his 38 years of ministry and the deep commitment to social change that drives him.

Get in touch with your own dreams and feelings as he struggles with his faith, feelings, and boundaries. Come to know a man who is both earthy and spiritual, common and extraordinary, positive and yet realistic.

About the Author

Jim Hall was born on a farm in rural Missouri in the early 1940’s. At age 10 he left the security of the small farm community for a ward in Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. In the fall of 1954, partly because of his Rheumatic Fever, the family sold the farm and moved to Southern California and a whole new world.

Jim became involved in the Methodist Church in Santee, California and has stayed involved his entire life. He graduated from California Western University in San Diego with a Liberal Arts degree in 1967. That fall he entered the Iliff School Of Theology in Denver begin his Master of Divinity degree.

Jim served an inner city church at the same time. Since then he has served churches from the rural desert to large retirement communities in Southern California. In 2004 he retired after 38 years of ministry. During those years he spent 25 summers camping a week each summer with Senior High youth. He served on elementary camp staffs and ran a college age conference camp for two years. He spent 10 years on the conference camp committee, eight as chairperson. In 1987 he was selected as “Camper of the Year” by his annual conference.

An activist, he has always been involved in social causes to protect the rights of individuals. In the Sixties as well as working for civil rights he participated in protests over the Vietnam War. In the Seventies his efforts turned to women’s rights and pro-choice concerns. By the eighties and nineties he was working in support of gay rights and homeless issues. The 21^st Century saw him and his wife Kathy protesting the war in Iraq. Today he is working at a homeless shelter as a community resource developer.

His real love is people and helping them achieve their highest potential. He received the “Humanitarian of the Year” award from the Hemet – San Jacinto Human Relation’s Council in 2001. Jim was named as a “Man Who Helps Women Achieve,” by the local Soroptimist’s Organization in 2002. He has also spent 23 years in Rotary International. 

Jim and Kathy have three children and four grandchildren.