Pastor Jim Wright began his ministry as a Minister of Music at age 19 and served in this capacity at churches in Indiana, Texas, and Alabama. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance from Indiana University and a Master of Music in Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While at Indiana University, Jim met Laura Schofield, a voice performance major. They were married in 1990. Their son, Jeremy, was born in 1995.

In 1996, Jim joined the staff at Centre First Baptist Church as Minister of Music. During this period he began to preach. Two years later, after the retirement of the senior pastor, Melvyn Salter, Jim began serving as interim pastor. In September, 1998 Jim was called to serve as the senior pastor of the church. In 2004 Pastor Jim completed his Master of Divinity Degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2007, he received the Doctorate of Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.