Our pastor, Elder Jim Burks, and his wife, Sister Lavon

Pastor Jim Burks and his wife, Lavon, were married in 1962. They have four children and 15 grandchildren. When the children of the church sing, there are Burks everywhere.  

Jim was saved in 1959, at 19 years of age. He says that he was "gloriously saved."  It was no decision, but a glorious transformation from the Lord. Baptized into the body of Christ at Salinas, Ca., Jim served a year in the church, then attended a radio school in Los Angeles before joining the Army for a three year stint. After basic training, Jim studied Fixed Station Radio Repair at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.

         After graduating, as the Lord willed, out of a class of 38 GIs, Jim was the only one sent west.  At Fort Carson, Colorado, he learned of a friend working at a Top 40 Radio Station in Pueblo, Co. and hired on as a weekend disc jockey. It was there that Jim met the love of his life, Lavon. God blessed in many ways while in Colorado. Jim met many great preachers with a manner of life, godly dedication and knowledge of the Word of God. Their tremendous influence back then, remains a strong support for him today.  

In 1964, it was back to Salinas after the service. Jim worked for Safeway Stores for two years and KSBW-TV as a Technical Director for over five years. In all this time, Jim did not work one Sunday shift.  In a 24 hour broadcast station, that's a miracle. But, he asked to have Sundays off and got it. The Burks family went into the Residential Care business in 1968, which has provided many blessings.  

During this time Jim was Song Leader, Treasurer, and Sunday School Teacher. In 1970, Jim was ordained as Deacon of the Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Salinas, Ca, where he and Lavon were charter members of its 1965 organization.  

However, after only a few months, the Lord called Jim to preach the gospel one morning at 4:00 a.m. in 1970. He woke Lavon and they cried and prayed.  Jim has preached ever since, organizing churches in Salinas, Ca. (1970), Grand Junction Co. (1975), and our church, Trinity, in Citrus Heights, Ca. (1980). Lavon has always had a willing heart to "Go."  

As Pastor for over 25 years at Trinity MBC, many have come and gone. One of those going was Justin Burks, Jim and Lavon's son. He was ordained in 2004 and is Pastor of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Palmdale, Ca. Through the years, Trinity has become mortgage free. Currently, the church supports eleven missionaries on a monthly basis.

There have been so many wonderful times, and a few sad times, but, to use one of Pastor Burks' favorite sayings, "God is still on the throne."