He was born in Conway, Arkansas on July 28, 1931. He died in Little Rock on July 2, 2009. He was an Arkansan through and through. However, because of his deep Arkansas roots, he once told this writer that he left Arkansas for Texas to get away from home and establish his own identity. Evidently he thought that others could benefit from that move as well.
Following his graduation from Hendrix College in Conway, James “Jim” Wiley Mosley entered Austin Seminary and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Divinity. He went on to earn his D.Min., also from Austin Seminary. After his first pastorate at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Galveston, he served as Director of Admissions at Austin Seminary. From there he served as pastor of Fain Memorial Presbyterian Church in Wichita Falls and then moved to Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin.
Mosley then went back to Arkansas to stay. After being at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Hot Springs, he had several interim pastorates, all in Arkansas: Mena, Russellville, Malvern, Clarksville, Mountainburg, Warren, Little Rock, and his hometown of Conway. In addition, he served as interim executive presbyter and stated clerk for Arkansas Presbyter as well as a term as moderator of that presbytery.
He served on the boards of various Presbyterian institutions: Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center in Arkansas, Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas, Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, and Austin Seminary.
In addition to his sense of humor, Jim had a pastoral presence that was a source of comfort to many. One such person who benefited from this gift was Howard Reed, today a retired Presbyterian pastor who, among other places, served as interim pastor at the Conway church where Mosley grew up. As a student at the University of Texas in Austin, Reed recalls contacting Mosley who at the time was serving the Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin. The two had become acquainted at John Knox Ranch where Reed had been a lifeguard the same summer that Mosley was serving as camp director. Reed sought out Mosley at a critical point in his life, spiritually, and over lunch Mosley listened and provided wise pastoral counsel that made a significant difference in Reed’s life, both at the time and later. Reed went on to Austin Seminary and has had a most effective ministry.
Perhaps Jim Mosley did nothing more than what most sensitive and attentive pastors would have done. But the fact is that what he did made a difference in one young man’s life and was, no doubt, characteristic of the rest of his pastoral ministry.
Mosley’s love for the church was reflected in the variety of ways he served it –– pastor, camp director, seminary admissions director, interim executive presbyter and stated clerk, interim pastor. In his description of Jim Mosley such words as “gentle”, “kind”, “open-minded”, and “solid” came to Howard Reed’s mind.
I suspect that such words are ones that are embodied in most Presbyterians, both ministers and laypersons alike. And it’s refreshing to be able to point to one who so clearly lived and breathed the gospel he felt called to proclaim. And one such person was Jim Mosley.
As we make history today, we give thanks to God for such disciples as Jim Mosley – whoever they are and wherever they are found.
The Presbyterian Historical Society of the Southwest exists to “stimulate and encourage interest in the collection, preservation, and presentation of the Presbyterian and Reformed heritage” in the Southwest. If you are not a participating member of the Society and would like to become one, the annual dues are $20 per individual and $25 per couple. Annual institutional and church membership dues are $100. Checks may be made out to PHSSW and sent to:
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