James Brooks

This article is about the minister. For the NFL player see James Brooks (NFL).

James Henry Brooks (born December 14, 1965 in Richmond, Kentucky; died September 14, 2022 in Birmingham) was pastor of New Pilgrim Baptist Church from 2007 until his death.

Brooks was valedictorian of his 1983 class at Madison High School in Richmond, Kentucky. He enrolled at Eastern Kentucky University on a presidential scholarship and completed a bachelor of arts in philosophy magna cum laude in 1987. He then entered the University of Kentucky and completed a master of science in education in 1991 and began working on a Ph.D. while also teaching at Eastern Kentucky. He and his wife Delisa were married in 1994.

Brooks accepted his first pastorate, meanwhile, at Peytontown Baptist Church in Richmond in 1988. In 1994 he was called to lead Broadway Baptist Church in Winchester, Kentucky, then in 2001 became senior pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Ypsilanti, Michigan. In addition to his well-received sermons, Brooks was known for his musicianship. He played piano and organ and sang.

Brooks came to Birmingham in 2007 to accept the task of succeeding long-time pastor Nelson Smith Jr at New Pilgrim. As pastor he also chaired the boards of the New Pilgrim Federal Credit Union, New Pilgrim Education Fund, and New Pilgrim Homes. He oversaw the construction a new Family Life Pavilion adjacent to the church.

Brooks, who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, died in September 2022. He was survived by his wife and two sons, James II and Jaxon. He was buried at Madison County Memorial Gardens in Richmond, Kentucky.

References

• Garrison, Greg (September 21, 2022) "New Pilgrim Baptist pastor followed a legend, then became one" AL.com