Dr. Cynthia James
Cynthia D. Rembert James, Ph.D., D.Min., D.D.
As global thinkers, advocates, and citizens, Dr. Cynthia James and her spouse, Alvin James, are committed to and actively engaged in what is commonly referred to as “Bridging the Gap” among the global African diaspora via conferences, webinars, and their family-owned travel business, I Heart Travel and Tours. This vehicle specializes in curating bespoke, faith-based, executive group insight expeditions throughout South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Seychelles, and other global destinations such as Brazil, Italy, and Greece.
Additionally, I Heart Medical Missions, a charitable offshoot, offers volunteer opportunities benefiting underserved and underrepresented communities. This follows over four decades of pastoral experience and a long-running academic and international consulting career focusing on responsible global leadership.
Dr. James has served high-level governmental officials domestically and abroad, held speaking engagements in Russia, Finland, Turkey, Ghana, the Caribbean, and throughout Africa, and is a three-time speaker for the Hampton University Ministers Conference. She has received two Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards and the 2024 Pentecostal Studies Award. She was consecrated as a Bishop in 2001 and served as Executive Officer for the World Bishops Council and the Joint College of Bishops for over 20 years. Dr. James has provided oversight to major assemblies of pastors beginning in 1986 to the present. This included a 12-year pastoral training and oversight assignment ending in 2024 with The Potter’s House of Dallas.
Dr. James continues to provide training, credentialing, and commissioning of pastors and missionaries domestically and abroad as President of Landmark Ministries, Inc., and through her episcopal gathering, United Covenant Fellowship. She has held numerous graduate faculty and/or seminary trustee appointments, including Rutgers University, the University of Pittsburgh, California State University, Asbury, and Portland University/Jakes Divinity School.
Dr. James has three major initiatives that reflect her global vision for leadership and ministry. Currently, academic planning is underway with a South African university to foster increased diasporic conversations. In October 2025, Dr. James will launch the inaugural Make Room*Conference, designed to highlight the interconnectedness of healthy global leaders, thriving organizations (congregations), and missional witness. In 2026, she will debut Protégé, a highly anticipated global immersion and capstone experience distinguished by its unique Worldview Leadership Lab. Beyond these initiatives, Dr. James continues to speak and advise on critical issues, including geopolitical advocacy, the rights of women and children, cultural intelligence, global ethics, and leadership training.
