About Jim Rodenbeck, the Author of “Grow in Christ!”
My Spiritual Background
Born in 1967, I was born-again, accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, in 1979. In the late 1980’s, I gradually walked away from the faith. In 1987, I officially labeled myself an agnostic. In late 1999, God reopened my mind to the truths found in the Bible and I rededicated my life to Christ. My home church is
The Church at Mt. Gilead, an Independent Christian Church outside of Mooresville, Indiana.
My Educational and Work-related Background
I graduated from
Mooresville High School in 1985 and received a BM in Music Education from
Butler University in 1989. A freelance musician/music instructor, I became the Principal Trombone of the
Carmel Symphony Orchestra, ran and played in the Basement Brass Quintet, and played with the Starry Knights (a 17-piece, Glenn Miller-style big band). I also taught private lessons and worked as a brass instructor for several middle and high schools in the Indianapolis metropolitan area.
A Change in Direction
In June 2006, God led me to a change of career. I started working for
Missions Alive in video production and web authoring. This switch involved giving up my forty-five private students, ownership of the Basement Brass Quintet, and most of the gigging (i.e. performing). However, I continued (and still continue) to play in the groups mentioned in the previous paragraph.
My Current Work-related Situation
I am still with
Missions Alive. However, tough economic times have forced me early in 2008 to change from full-time to part-time status at this ministry to missionaries. Therefore, I am once again accepting private students and seeking additional trombone-related gigs.