Jim Diaz has lived in Temecula since 1967 and gave his life to Jesus in 1978. He and his wife Kathy have been involved in a wide array of ministries over many years and are the definition of faithful servants. Jim served as Assistant and, later, Lead Pastor at Temecula Community Church. After retiring in 2021, Jim still serves the community of Reliance Church as an Assistant Pastor.
“Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:1-2
Get to know Pastor Jim!
What is your role at Reliance Church?
Assistant Pastor. I’m now retired but my role before that was Pastoral care, which include Biblical Counseling/Discipleship, Premarital Counseling, Visitation, Weddings, Memorials, and teaching. Even though I’m retired from staff, I do still function in this role.
Describe your job in five words?
Challenging, exciting, unpredictable, Spirit led.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
There were two things that I loved growing up: music and sports. So, I always thought I would be a professional baseball or football player, or a rock star. I didn’t become a rock star but when I got saved in 1978, the Lord put me in a Christian Rock/Pop Band and in the ministry of worship.
Coffee, Tea, or Soda?
I like both coffee and tea but my preference for a better taste would be tea.
Go-to worship song?
There’s one song that best describes my life’s journey and my faith, which is, “When God Ran,” by Benny Hester, but there are so many songs that come to mind when it comes to getting me to that place of worship, such as, “Above All” by Lenny LeBlanc, “I Surrender All,” “Is He Worthy” and, “Jesus, Oh Jesus, Come fill Your Lambs,” “God and God Alone” and “Your Love Ran Red,” both by Chris Tomlin, just to name of few.
Who has had the most influence in your spiritual life?
When I first got saved, I became close friends with one of the band members who later became a Pastor, who also discipled me. His name was, Tom Umathum, who went home to be with the Lord at a very young age. But after my backslide and return to the Lord, I would have to say that my wife, Kathy, was the one who influenced me the most.
Food you can’t live without?
Chips & Salsa! What else is there?
Which Bible character would you most likely to be best friends with?
Boaz, at least that’s who I would want to befriend. I believe his character and godly examples are very similar to Christ, which have always been an inspiration to my life.
Favorite Quote of all time?
My favorite quote is taken from part of a speech that was written by Abraham Lincoln on, March 13, 1863, when he was calling the nation to set a day apart to fast and pray in all humility because he felt that the nation had forgotten God after He had blessed them so much:
“…And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.” — Abraham Lincoln
What is your hope for Reliance Church?
That the church continues to grow, not so much in numbers, but to a deeper intimate love relationship with the King, which I believe would effect every ministry in the church.