Jim joined the staff at First Baptist Sweetwater in January 2005. Before coming to Sweetwater, he and his wife Diane served in South Korea for 21 years representing Southern Baptists at the Korea Baptist Church Development Board in Seoul.

Jim has a Bachelor of Music from Samford University, a Master of Church Music from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Musical Arts from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. His master's thesis was titled, "Hunger and Hope: The Body of Christ in a Starving World" and was performed for the first SBC convocation on world hunger. His dissertation, "A Korean Requiem" (in honor of those who have died while in separation from family during the division of the Korean peninsula), was performed in Seoul, Korea on the 50th anniversary of the Korean War.

Jim has published numerous choral works with various publishers, including Alfred, Lifeway, Genevox, Beckenhorst, GlorySound, Hinshaw, Hope, Korea Baptist Church Development Board and Lorenz, and has been commissioned to write numerous works. He has also published articles in "The Church Musician" and "Creator Magazine."

Jim serves as a music consultant for Global Resource Services (GRS), an NGO that works largely in North Korea. Jim has visited North Korea several times and has assisted groups, including Casting Crowns and the Annie Moses Band, in performing in North Korea.

Jim has taught as an adjunct instructor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Korean Baptist Theological Seminary and Sudo Baptist Theological Seminary and has been a guest speaker for the SBC Music Conference. His teaching, leading and performing has led him to China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand, North Korea and South Korea.

As Minister of Music and Worship, he has the responsibility of overseeing all music and drama programs of the church, including choirs for children, youth and adults; the church orchestra; and drama ministry.

You may connect with Jim by email at jim.ailor@fbsweetwater.org or through the church office.