James and Christina Weidner have been pastoring in Asia and USA since 2000, having served, founded, and led works in the USA, Philippines, China, HK, and Taiwan. James and Christina are passionate pastors, with a pioneering spirit, and live with a singular goal of making disciples, equipping leaders, building Churches, and launching Gospel centered initiatives.
In November 1993, at the age of 18 while in jail, James had a life-changing encounter with Christ, which placed him on a collision course with destiny. From that encounter with Christ, a single focus of reaching, equipping, and connecting people became his sole passion. Christina’s encounter was just as dramatic but took place when she was seven years old, and she remained resolved through her teen age years to serve God on the foreign field.
On June 4, 2000, the day after marrying, Jamie and Christina moved to Manila, Philippines and spent the next five years there at Cathedral of Praise being trained and serving in various Pastoral leadership roles.
Early in 2001 James and Christina received a sudden and unexpected calling to spend a life time in China. Not really knowing how to make this dream come to pass they continued to serve and grow in various ministry roles until the door opened to move to Shanghai in June 2008.
In 2005, the plan of God brought the Weidners back to their home city of New Orleans, Louisiana and home church of Victory Fellowship. This move happened right in time to be instrumental in Victory’s relief effort, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Early 2008 Weidner Ministries was launched in preparation of heading out to the mission field.
In June 2008, the China door opened when James was invited to serve as the Executive Director of the Community Center Shanghai. This season proved to be a very successful and fulfilling time in the beginning years of becoming familiar with China. James served at CCS from June 2008 – June 2011.
In January 2009 the dream launched as 12 people gathered for the first time in the Weidner’s living room.
In October 2009 the Shanghai Healing Home was launched in a small, 130sqm, two bedroom apartment, with 10 beds and no babies. The first baby, Sabrina, arrived a couple weeks later. In July 2015 the Shanghai Healing Home moved a long-term, 60 bed facility.
In September of 2010 Learning Beyond Academy was launched with 7 students in the basement of the Weidner’s home. Soon after, LBA relocated to it’s own facility and has been expanding every year since. Today LBA has grades PK2 through 12th, with the first graduating student to be in June 2017.
In 2011 the English Learning Studies program was launched to meet the growing demand to facilitate the smooth transition on English as second language students who desired to study in an english speaking environment. In September 2012 our Equip Leadership Initiative was launched with 11 students. And in 2014 Creative Arts Academy (music, dance, drama, art) was launched.
In 2016 these educational programs were flourishing with more than 350 students, 143 babies cared, 257 surgeries provided, hundreds of community members, being facilitated by a full-time team of over 135 mission-minded members selflessly investing themselves into the grow and care of these life-giving initiatives.
In August 2016, James and Madelynn Weidner ventured to Taipei for a season of transition after not being allowed to return to China. Christina and the rest of their family continued back to Shanghai for the next 4 months joining James and Maddy by November. All China initiatives begun a transition into the hands of our Directors and continued to grow and move forward today.
In December 2017 the Weidner’s moved back to their home town New Orleans – Louisiana. Shortly after hitting the ground it became clear that they were to launch a new initiative on the Northshore of NOLA.
In April 2018, on Resurrection Sunday, James & Christina held the soft opening of R.E.A.C.H. Community in Covington, LA. The grand opening took place 4 months later, in a newly leased facility, on August 19, 2018.
In September 2018 R.E.A.C.H. Learning Community was launched. RLC quickly became the go to program for many home schooling families.
By May 2020 an opportunity popped up for REACH Community to purchase it’s own property in Mandeville. So the journey continues. Stay tuned.
Special thanks to our family, friends and partners who have graciously supported all our efforts over the years. Much love and thanks to Pastors Frank and Parris Bailey and Pastors David and Beverly Sumrall for the years of trust and sowing into our lives preparing us for such a time as this.
James & Christina Weidner
Email me: JamesWeidner@me.com