James Hays became Senior Pastor of Valley Baptist Church on January 1, 1998. He is a graduate of White County Central High School where he was valedictorian of his class. He was an honor graduate form Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas with a pre-law degree in business. He was a law student at the University of Arkansas when he surrendered to preach. He entered seminary a year later and is a graduate of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee, where he served as President of the Student Body.
Prior to coming to Valley, Bro. James pastored churches in Tennessee, Texas, Washington State, as well as Arkansas.
Bro. James and his wife Beverly have two married children: Philip and wife Shannon, and Rachel and husband Richard. He ("PaPa") and Beverly ("GiGi") are also the very proud Grandparents to two Grandchildren: Finley Grace and Parker Ryan.