James Arden Finke

James Arden Finke was born September 14, 1947 to Arden and Marian Finke in Chicago, Illinois. He spent most of his childhood years in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where his father was serving as a pastor. He attended Roger Ludlowe High School in Fairfield, CT where he graduated with honors. Following high school , Jim served in the United States Air Force. He was honorably discharged with a rank of Sergeant. In 1973, Jim earned a B.A. with honors from the University of Maryland. He continued his studies and received a Masters of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. During that time he met his wife Ruth and after graduating they married on June 11, 1977. Two years later Jim was called to serve as the pastor of Marshfield Baptist Church. In 1980 Jim and Ruth applied to serve with Greater Europe Mission. They were accepted and assigned to serve in Greece where a new Bible School was being established. Four years later, in 1984, they moved to Athens, Greece to serve at the Greek Bible Institute. For the next twenty-nine years Jim served in various capacities at the school including as an instructor of Ancient Greek, Evangelism, and New Testament Studies. He was also academic dean, registrar, and resident computer geek. Additionally he helped develop and served as co-director of the international student program, an English language course of study. In 2013 Jim retired from Greater Europe Mission and returned to the U.S. where he and Ruth attended and served at First Baptist Church Keller. On August 21, 2017 Jim finished the race here on earth and joined the Lord he loved and so faithfully served all his life.

Survivors: Wife, Ruth Finke; daughters, Claire Dorn (Galen Dorn), Lydia Keuer (Andrew Keuer); son, Jacob Finke (Kayla Threatt); grandchildren: Kai, Lauren, Aidan, Marek, Micah, AnneMarie, Gregory, and Philippos; brothers, John Finke, Tim Finke; and cousin, Sharon Robertson.