Reverend Crystal E. James, M.Div
Rev. Crystal E. James accepted the call to ministry in 2014 at Grant Chapel A.M.E. Trenton, NJ. In 2021, she was elected and ordained an Itinerant Deacon and then elected and ordained an Itinerant Elder in 2022 during the 150th Session of the New Jersey Annual Conference.
Before her ministry, Rev. James served for 20 years at the Mercer County Correction Center, retiring as a Sergeant. During her tenure, she worked in the Internal Affairs Department and earned the distinction of being the first African-American female Certified Firearms Instructor for the department.
Rev. James is employed by the Hamilton Township Board of Education and was recognized as Teacher of the Year for the 2017-2018 school year. She is an active member of Education Through Excellence, The National Council of Negro Women, and volunteers for Project R.O.B.I.N. (Retired Older Buddies In Need) in the Hamilton Township School District.
Rev. James earned her Associate of Science in Criminal Justice from Mercer County Community College in 2009. She continued her education at Grand Canyon University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 2014 and obtaining her teaching certificate in 2015. In 2021, she earned a Master of Divinity degree from Drew Theological School and is currently pursuing her doctorate there.
Married to Robert James, together, they have three children, Ashley (Son-in-Love Billie), Michael, and Joshua.
She embodies generosity and lives by the principle from Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."