Jim serves with the Evangelical Church in the Republic of Niger (EERN) and the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCOSS) to ensure sustainability for clean water and sanitation at both community and user levels. He works with the church in being a strong participant in the rural development of Niger and South Sudan and an effective advocate for the health of its people. Jim and his wife Jodi previously served together in Malawi and more recently in Niger where Jodi served as a nursing and public health educator with the EERN to train and staff church run health clinics and to educate students in its new nursing school.
Jim began mission service in 1995, working alongside Jodi with the Church of Central Africa in Malawi. He worked in the areas of water and sanitation while Jodi worked in the areas of health and nursing. Although Jodi is not able to join Jim currently as he serves the EERN in Niger because of family responsibilities, she continues to be an abiding inspiration and support in Jim’s ministry. Together the McGill’s continue to serve God with the people of Niger and the PC(USA).
Jim received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Wake Forest University and his master’s degree in geological engineering at the University of Arizona. Prior to his service as a mission co-worker, Jim spent many years in Africa as the child of Presbyterian missionaries to Congo and doing geophysical research with the Geology Department of Duke University.