On Thursday, April 19th, 2018, Rev. James
“Jim” Filbeck was elected to the role of
Secretary/Treasurer for the MN District
Council Assemblies of God, following the
retirement of Rev. Greg Hickle.
Jim and his wife, Julie, who is an elementary
school teacher, have been serving at
Rochester Assembly of God since 2002. Over
the past 15 years, God has done amazing
things in their church and community.
Prior to Rochester, the Filbecks pastored in
Basingstoke, England and at Calvary Temple
church in Auburn, Washington.
As a teenager, Jim sensed the Lord calling
him into ministry, but tried to run from it.
His mother died of cancer when he was 15,
which impacted his relationship with the
Lord and made life very difficult.
At the age of 18, he had a true encounter with
God, similar to Paul on the road to Damascus.
He was attending a university in Chicago to
become an electronic technician when God
got a hold of him. While driving home late
one night, he pulled over on the side of the
road during a severe thunderstorm. He could
not see through his windshield because of
the heavy rain. What he didn’t realize was
that it wasn’t just raining outside his car; he
was bawling like a baby inside the car.
Jesus was calling Jim’s name and asked him
to follow Him in total abandonment. That
night he surrendered his life 100% to Christ.
The next day he left Chicago and registered
at North Central University.
Jim has a true shepherd’s heart. He said, “My
passion is for people…I guess you could say
I really love the people that God has given
me to serve. I have a passion to preach God’s
Word and see lives changed for eternity.”
The Filbecks have three daughters and two
sons-in-law: Janelle (Stephen) Krist, Jenna
(Luke) Spangrud, and Janae, who is in 7th
grade. Jim, Julie, and Janae plan to relocate
to the north Twin Cities metro this summer.
