Wang Family Love Offering

James H. Wang of San Jose California passed away on October 9, 2021 at the age of 41, after battling complications from covid pneumonia at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose. He entered into his eternal reward peacefully with his wife, Pastor, and a few close friends and family at his side.  

James was born in Taipei, Taiwan to Julie and Jeffrey Wang and immigrated to the United States with his parents at the age of one. He is survived by his beloved wife of 13 years, Jessica, his three sons, Judah Maximus, Jaxson Zander and Jace Malachi. His parents Jeffrey and Julie Wang, his sister Jenny Wang Kane and her husband Benjamin Kane.

He was a loving husband, a wonderful father, a talented children’s ministry pastor, a passionate minister, sales executive, entrepreneur, singer, actor and avid reader who loved to learn, dream and travel.

A hard worker all his life, James started earning money as early as middle school, delivering local papers to 30 families in Salem, New Hampshire. He bought a 1969 Karmann-Ghia and fully restored it with the money he earned from his paper route. James graduated from Salem High School, where he played varsity football and was involved in Drama. He earned a bachelor's degree in computer science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and was an active member in Alpha Chi Rho (AXP).

After college, James worked as a software engineer on the East Coast and then tested products for Atari before moving into technical sales in the Silicon Valley. Through the years he worked for multiple companies; technical sales associate for Google, Account Executive at Sage Intacct, Director of Sales and Partnerships of QStock Inventory for MSA Systems and most recently Mid-Market Account Executive at Skilljar. He owned Rising Rocket, a web design and social media consulting group. He created Trawler, a web and mobile app designed for church group organization and growth, and founded Next Level Kidmin, a kid ministry resource, which was truly the heart and soul of who and what James was.

His first and deepest passion in life was investing in others and in the Kingdom of God. By 5th grade he was Youth Group President. At 14 he was a Sunday School teacher for 10 year olds, one being his sister! James passion and love for teaching Bible studies, Sunday School and Children’s Ministry never waned. In 2004 James came to First Church and immediately became involved in leadership. He jumped right in! His personal, warm, intelligent approach with children and young people made him especially effective in ministry. His passion and anointing became evident. James married Jessica in 2008 and together became a dynamic team, perfectly complimenting one another. 

James became Children’s Ministry Pastor of First Church and began traveling around the U.S. to preach children’s revivals and lead children’s ministry workshops. He would often say, “Do you see your time with kids as an investment or as an expense? Every minute invested leaves an impression on kids, even if it is just the memory of being loved and not the lesson particulars that linger. Love them. Teach them. Invest in them. It is worth it.” In San Jose he became the Bus Ministry Leader, Sunday School Director, taught and facilitated weekly English and Mandarin Bible studies, and led Vacation Bible School for 9 years. During the pandemic, he and his team spent many hours each week working to bring Sunday School to the many children of First Church with YouTube videos and Zoom meetings. Many have spoken highly of the impact he and his wife’s ministry had on their lives. He was at the forefront of changing the face of children’s ministry in the Apostolic movement and his influence will be lasting. 

James was an integral leader in his church, his family, and his work. He lived with intention, love and passion in all things. Only eternity will reveal the full impact of his life.

James encouraged everyone around him to rise to their best selves. He sowed into everyone and everything around him, always helping and teaching and creating. 

James left us all too soon and will be missed by all that knew him. Our hearts ache at the thought of life without him here. His legacy will live on in his family and those who have been touched by this godly man who was so generous with his time, talents and compassion. 

We take comfort in knowing that James has gone on to his eternal reward -- the reward he lived for!

Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.  Matthew 25:21 

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4