Prior to his call to the ministry, Jim Parker worked in various engineering and project management roles for the United States Steel Corporation's American Bridge Division, and other companies.
As a faculty member, Parker is the executive director of the seminary's Moskau Institute of Archaeology and co-directs the NOBTS Museum of the Bible and Archaeology. He has been a co-director of the Tel Gezer Ancient Water System Archaeological Expedition since 2008, where he partnered with Tsvika Tsuk of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. He now co-directs the Tel Hadid Archaeological Expedition in Israel, and has worked on excavations at Sepphoris, in Galilee, and at Tel es Safi (biblical Gath). Through his work at NOBTS, Parker leads tours to Israel so that students, ministers, and lay people alike can experience the Holy Land.
While involved in various archaeological projects, Dr. Parker's passion is for the Church and the mission of the Church to reach the world with the Gospel.
Jim and his wife Donna have one grown daughter and one grandchild.