Rev. James Hickson Lee Memorial

Rev. Lee was a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. As a Longhorn, he was a member of the Innervisions Gospel Choir, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the football team. James initially went to work for the Office of the Attorney General, Child Support Division; however, in 1996, he responded to a call to seminary and matriculated into Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. In May 2000, James graduated with a Masters of Divinity.

In 2002, James was ordained to serve as Director of Racial Ethnic Ministries and Recruitment for Austin Seminary. In 2003, he was called by Covenant Presbyterian Church to start a new church. In 2009, New Covenant Fellowship of Austin was chartered, where James served as Teaching Elder, Minister of the Word and Sacrament, Pastor, and friend at the time of his passing.

James celebrated the eclectic, unifying, and energizing work of the Holy Spirit in his ministry which was birthed from his experiences of worshiping across economic, racial, and denominational lines. He believed in building relationships and brought his heart and youthful exuberance to this endeavor. His experience as a teammate was instructive in the power of relationships. He loved Longhorn athletics, nearly all cartoons, and often found the Good Word in both; whether in counseling with a couple, conducting a wedding or preaching a sermon. No event was too profound for the Hakuna Matata Gospel, a “Hook ’Em” or a little Tom & Jerry. James had a youthful spirit and drew children in with his love and his Donald Duck impression. He was extremely proud of his own children in all of their accomplishments be they personal, spiritual, academic, musical, or athletic.