Ordained Priest Dec. 22, 2001                                                                                Consecrated Bishop Feb. 23, 2007     

About Bishop James

​I could write of my accomplishments in life, and rejoice over how I successfully completed my testings for the ministry, canonical work for the priesthood, consecrated twice as a Bishop and obtained my Master of Divinity Degree.  My, credentials are lodged within the files of the Church, but, these are not important.   I'd rather be noted for my ability and willingness to serve God and His Church. 

My life is simple and plain.  My Grandmother was the driving force behind my being yielded to the ministry with God being her helper.  Though, she could not read nor write, yet, she taught me the Bible.  You may ask, how?  I say to you, “the answer is simple.”  She taught me through the inspirations of God.   Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of God of the Almighty giveth them understanding.  As a child, my grandmother would say to me, “boy, you’re gonna be a preacher,’ and I would think to myself, “Yeah, right grandma,” not knowing that her prophecy would eventually come to pass.  But, look at me today, I’m a preacher.  What, a Mighty God I serve.

I lived in South Carolina and was not brought up in the Church because, my grandmother lived too far in the country and we had no car nor knew anyone that would give us a ride to town on Sunday.   In a sense, I was spared from becoming confused over religious protocol.  I, acknowledged God early in my life and tried to live the best that I knew how by applying what my grandmother and the good people along the way taught me.  You’d think the word “preacher” was stamped on my forehead because I was often asked by people if I was a preacher.

In my early twenties, I lived in New York with my mother and became exposed to the drug scene by acquaintances who went in pursuit of a hit (drugs).  Though, I saw all that went on in drug houses, I never desired to partake of smoking, drinking, and drugging, because, I remembered my grandmother telling me to profit from the mistakes of others.  My, grandmother’s teaching held fast in my mind and I never succumbed to those beggarly elements of the world.  I never smoked, drank, nor used drugs and I thank God for His mercy unto me.

Though, there were many bad habits that I avoided in my life, yet, there were some ill behaviors I had that did not represent a Christian life and I had to overcome through the power of God. Not knowing that God was getting me ready for my life’s work.

My life took a drastic change in early 1994 when I met my wife Katie and she said unto me., “you’re going to be a preacher, God has a calling on your life.”  Those, were the same words that my grandmother had spoken to me so long ago, and though, I had been already walking in God’s calling in my life from my youth, I had not acknowledged it as such.  I was pricked in my heart and readily accepted the work that God had begun in my life as a child.  I could clearly see God’s vision and plan for me, and, late in 1994, my grandmother’s vision came true.  I was ordained a minister.

God used my grandmother to nurture and raise me for the ministry through Divine intervention, I am inclined to believe that this scripture pertains to me. Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.  God does work in mysterious ways.

I have come to realize that there is a difference in being called by God and being designated by man.  I’d rather be noted for my ability to serve God and His Church, than be led by man through my glorified academic accomplishments.  1 Corinthians 3:19  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.  Fir it is written, He taketh the wise in their craftiness.

My goal as President and Bishop of Path Of life Church is to move forward with my wife, Pastor Katie and meet the challenges of developing the Ministry as God leads.

​​​The Right Reverend James L. Dargan is the husband of Pastor Katie L. Dargan and is the father of Faith, Amanda and Anthony and has two grandsons Brendon and Schyuler (Georgia).

Bishop James has always loved to serve.  In high school the ROTC first peaked his interest in the uniform and what it represented, and shortly after he enlisted in the United States Army where he served his country for fourteen years,  during which time he also earned a degree in criminal justice and general studies.  He has traveled every state in the U.S., been to various other countries and lived in Germany for six years even adapting to its language.  

Since his early twenties he has always stayed close to law inforcement having worked on such jobs as a body guard at CBS Studio NY for the then news Anchorman Walter Cronkite,  as a Prison Correctional Officer for the State of Georgia and as a security officer at the Hyatt Regency St Louis Riverfront.  

He has never shyed away from work and has developed an array of other skills through working as a U.S. postal worker, school custodian and teacher's aide at Edwardsville, IL school district 7

But, God yet had an even greater plan for his life;

And The Journey Begins:

A) Ordained a Minister 1994 by the Rev. Charles Moses King of Macon GA

B) Co-Founder/Vice President Living For Christ Ministries 1996

C) Ordained a Priest Dec. 22, 2001 through the Patriarchal See of St. Peter at Antioch by Archbishop Hartley Ward of Good Shepherd Church of The Anglican/African Orthodox Church Worldwide of the Archdiocese of the Midwest Belleville, IL

Elevated to Archdeacon

Elevated to Canon Major in 2006

Consecrated a Bishop Feb. 23, 2007 through the Patriarchal See of St. Peter at Antioch by Archbishop Hartley Ward, Good Shepherd Church of the Anglican Church Worldwide of the Archdiocese of the Midwest Belleville, IL

Appointed Pastor of Good Shepherd Anglican Church of the Anglican Church Worldwide, Belleville, IL

Elected Suffragan Bishop and appointed Dean of the Pro- Cathedral to assist the Archbishop in his travels

D) Received as a Bishop by Archbishop John G. Githiga Oct. 7, 2007 and admitted to the House of Bishops in the All Nations Anglican Church of the Anglican Catholic and Apostolic Faith  Chandler, Arizona
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E) Received Master of Divinity May 7, 2008 from All Nations Anglican Church Seminary Amarillo, TX  

F) Relief Chaplain at Memorial Hospital Alton, IL  2008

G) President/Bishop of Path of Life Church (ND) Cahokia, IL 2009-present
 
Community Endeavors:

Bishop James has a passion for community endeavors, especially that which concens the youth.  

Co-founded/Assistant Director with his wife Founder/President/Director Lady Rev. Katie L. Dargan of Project H.O.P.E. (Help Our People Excel) Youth Program Glen Carbon, IL. and Glen-Ed Community Hope Youth Program Edwardville, IL which worked in conjunction with their Living For Christ Ministries.

Actively involved with:
New Direction Community Hope (NDCH), a Youth Out reach Program for low income and at-risk children & families.  Offer a annual Summer Enrichment Program.  NDCH is a subsidiary of Path of Life Church, Cahokia, IL