Indiana Wesleyan University logo
 
 
James Saunders, Ed.S.
Affiliate Professor (Non-residential)
james.saunders@agsfaculty.indwes.edu

Academic Credentials:

- Exec. Cert., Strategic Leadership (Liberty University, 2022)

- Ed.S., Education Leadership (Liberty University, 2015)

- M.A., Human Services: Marriage & Family (Liberty University, 2013)

- M.Min., Pastoral Ministry (Temple Baptist Seminary, 2009)

- M.S.Ed., Counseling Studies (Harding University, 1998) 

- B.A., Bible and Religion (Harding University, 1996)

Professional Certifications:

Board Certified Christian Counselor (AACC, 2011 - Current)

Board Certified Pastoral Counselor (AACC, 2011 - Current)

Ecclesiastical Endorsement, Military Chaplaincy (WCICC, 2007 - Current) 

Certified Family Life Educator (NCFR, 2001 - Current)

Published Articles and Professional Presentations:

Saunders, J. (2020). "Team-building: Managing workplace conflict." Presented at Military & Family Readiness Operations Professional Development Workshop, Tennessee Army National Guard, Smyrna, TN. 

Saunders, J. & Bauer, M. (2017). "Understanding the impact of suicide in the National Guard." Presented at Bi-Annual Spring Symposium, Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, Nashville, TN.

Saunders, J. (2015). Cognitive-Existential Family Therapy: A proposed theoretical integration model for pastoral counselors. Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling, 69(1), 34-39.

Saunders, J. (2013). "The ethics of self-care for Family Assistance Specialists." Presented at Family Programs Professional Development Workshop, Tennessee Army National Guard, Gatlinburg, TN.

Saunders, J. (2012). "Post-traumatic growth: Thriving through adversity." Presented during FY13 Annual Training, Tennessee Army National Guard, Camp Shelby, MS.

Saunders, J. (2005). Family life education and family mediation: A winning combination. Network: The Newsletter for Certified Family Life Educators, 17(3), 4 & 8.

IWU Course Approvals:

Human Services

HMSR220          Interview Skills in Human Services*                                                

HMSR340          Advocacy in Human Services*                                                           

HMSR350          Systems of Social Change                                                                 

HMSR420          Program Planning and Evaluation in Human Services                

HMSR430          Administration in Human Services                                                    

HMSR490          Capstone in Human Services*                                                            

Addictions Counseling

ADC202             Principles of Addictions Counseling*                                               

ADC310             Addictions Counseling Skills*                                                             

ADC320             Theory and Practice of Group Counseling*                                    

ADC330             Counseling Addicted/Dysfunctional Family Systems                 

ADC461             Addictions Counseling Practicum I                                                 

ADC462             Addictions Counseling Practicum II                                               

ADC463             Addictions Counseling Practicum III                                              

ADC464             Addictions Counseling Practicum IV                                              

ADC471             Addictions Counseling Practicum I                                                 

ADC472             Addictions Counseling Practicum II                                               

ADC473             Addictions Counseling Practicum III                                             

ADC474             Addictions Counseling Practicum IV                                              

Psychology

PSY150              General Psychology*                                                                            

PSY155              Personal Adjustment*                                                                          

PSY345              Relationship Development I 

PSY357              Research Methods/Applied Psych                                           

PSY360              Social Psychology                                                                              

PSY366              Psychology of Abnormal Behavior                                                 

PSY370              Theories of Personality                                                                     

PSY420              Relationship Development II                                                            

PSY440              Psychology and Spiritual Formation*                                               

PSY491              Capstone in Psychology and Human Relations* 

PSY520              Lifespan Development

PSY525              Theories of Personality Development

PSY530              History and Systems of Psychology

PSY535              Research Methods in Psychology

Sociology

SOC150              Introduction to Sociology*                                                                  

SOC152              Social Problems*                                                                                  

SOC 200             Marriage and Family*                                                                         

SOC210              Intergroup Relations*

* Primary Courses                                                                   

God has been very gracious towards me through the years.  I am ever thankful for his many blessings in my life!  These blessings include my wife, Kendra, and our five beautiful children – Seth, Ariel, Caleb, Blake, and Briley.  In addition, we have been blessed with two granddaughters, Sadie (6) and Sierra (3)!

I have worked in the human services field for over 25 years.  My career includes experiences in small business, agency counseling, medical social services and the military.  I have experience working with adolescent and adult populations in Intensive Outpatient substance abuse facilities.  I have also worked in congregational settings as a Youth & Family Minister and Associate Pastor.  For the past 14 years, I have served as a military chaplain for the Tennessee Army National Guard.  I deployed to Iraq in 2009-10, Poland in 2018-19, was on orders as a Fulltime Regional Support Chaplain for East Tennessee from January 2012 to October 2014, and have participated in multiple Domestic Support Operations in Tennessee and Washington, D.C.  In my capacity as a military chaplain, I have extensive experience facilitating psycho-educational programs (e.g., relationship education workshops, suicide prevention seminars, and family wellness & resiliency trainings) and providing pastoral care and counseling.  Currently, I work full time for the Tennessee Military Department as the Resilience & Risk Reduction Program Coordinator, a position that affords me the opportunity to focus on health promotion across the five domains of health: physical, psychological, spiritual, social, and family wellness.

My current role at Indiana Wesleyan University is as an Instructor in the School of Service and Leadership.  I am approved to facilitate courses in the following areas: human services, addictions counseling, psychology, and sociology (see Credentials section for a complete list of courses).  

Having the opportunity to teach is a dream come true for me.  I believe strongly in empowering individuals toward career success through academic achievement and lifelong learning.  My favorite Bible verse is Colossians 3:23:  “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…” (English Standard Version). 

I am known for telling my Soldiers that “I wasn’t always a chaplain!” Though I grew up in a Christian home, I lived outside of the will of God for many years.  However, I praise God and am thankful each and every day that the Spirit convicted me of my sins.  I asked Jesus into my heart and made him Lord of my life at the age of 30—and he has not let me slow down much since!!!  Praise God for the reconciling power of Christ’s sacrifice!

Though I had previously worked in congregational settings, God called me into military ministry in 2007.  I am so blessed to be a Kingdom worker in such a unique mission field.  Many Soldiers have a strong faith; however, there are numerous lost souls serving in our Armed Forces.  What a blessing it is to be able to share the love of God and the redeeming message of the Cross with those who are lost, hurting, and in need of God’s healing power!

I can be contacted at james.saunders@agsfaculty.indwes.edu or 931-510-7747.