James McLean

Originally from Machias, New York, James came to Purdue University in the fall of 2020 with his wife, who was enrolled as a graduate student. 

James graduated from Houghton University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in theology and pastoral ministry. In 2024, he graduated from Asbury Theology Seminary with a master’s degree in theology with a concentration in historical theology, and he is currently working on a master’s degree in Philosophy with a concentration in Christian Metaphysics. He spent the last nine years in ministry at various Protestant churches as a lay minister and a staff pastor. After taking a class on the early church fathers in the spring of 2022, James decided to leave his position as a pastor due to increasing doubts about certain Protestant beliefs. After spending the next two years intensely studying Catholicism, he and his wife Ellen were received into the church in February of 2024. James is passionate about bringing as many people into the one Church of Christ as possible, especially those with a Protestant background.

In his free time, he enjoys reading, working out, baking, and spending time with his wife and their daughter Maisie.