Jim Gerrish

Jim Gerrish was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1935, but lived for most of his youth in Arkansas. He graduated from college and after serving as a military officer entered Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He received a Master of Divinity degree from that institution.

After seminary he served as pastor of three churches before beginning a ministry in Israel. Jim moved his family there in 1982. For most of his time in Israel he served with the evangelical Christian ministry known as Bridges For Peace. With that organization he worked mostly as an editor and writer of biblical articles. He and his wife Betsy also founded and directed the Galilee Study Center on the Sea of Galilee. In the year 2000 Jim published his book on Israel entitled, "Does God Play Favorites?"

When the couple retired from Israel work in 2001 Jim soon began writing commentaries on the New Testament. After sixteen years in the land these commentaries have a distinct Israel flavor. The full set of New Testament commentaries make up the "Light of Israel" series. The series was written over a ten year period. The commentaries are rich in quotes form some of the best of ancient and modern Bible commentators.