Jim Burris

Elder | Tysons

God pursued me when I was 16 years old. I did not grow up in a Christian home; I had no idea who Jesus Christ was, and I didn’t know I could be saved from my past, present and future sins. So when a friend invited me to attend a summer “youth retreat,” I expected a weekend getaway with some friends. However, God had a different plan. He used Scripture to reveal my need for a Savior. At the end of the retreat, I repented of my sins and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

I began studying God’s Word daily, learning more about who Jesus Christ was and his life, death and resurrection. I began attending weekly youth group meetings and worship services, and because my dad began to see the sanctification process that God was doing in my life, he recommitted his life to Jesus and joined me at church.

During my freshman year in college, I lost my youth group “community” and began to regress in my spiritual walk. God intervened and placed Hannah, a strong Christian woman, in my life. We dated through college and got married nearly 27 years ago.

After marrying, we moved to Silver Spring, MD, where both Hannah and I pursued our graduate school studies. We also attended the Korean Trinity Presbyterian Church as well as the Korean Central Presbyterian Church – English Ministry (KCPC-EM).  While attending KCPC-EM, God deepened my understanding of the gospel and created opportunities to serve the church. Hannah and I first served in the welcoming committee, then as small group leaders, and later I became an ordained deacon. I was eventually nominated to be the Deacon Board Chairman, and as a church, we began the process of becoming an independent church. This called the church to nominate, train, and ordain ruling elders.  During this process I was nominated to sit in the interim session, where 6 deacons and the teaching elders/pastors led the shepherding functions of the church.

Soon after we moved to Leesburg, VA, and we decided that we needed to find a church closer to our home with more diverse members as we had a heart to invite our neighbors and friends to church.  This led us to McLean Bible Church (Loudoun) where we have been attending since 2011.  I have served in Kid’s Quest and as a small group leader. Both Hannah and I also serve as leaders in Bible Study Fellowship. We have been group discussion leaders, children’s leaders/supervisors, and currently serve as the Class Administrators for the Ashburn/Leesburg Satellite discussion groups.

My family has found ways to serve the church in various ways, and we thank God for the opportunities He has given us to thrive individually and alongside of our MBC church family.