Bishop James “J. P.” Miller is the Diocesan Bishop for the 81st Episcopal District, the Republic of Panama, for the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. He is pastor and founder of Beulah Temple Ministries, a storied congregation in Valdosta, Ga. He was Chairman of the Greater Georgia State Council (30th Episcopal District) of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., from 2010 to 2018.
He is the lead chaplain and Director of Pastoral Care at Valdosta State Prison, where he ministers to more than 1,800 offenders, 150 staff members, more than 200 volunteers and serves as religious liaison and adviser to the associated family members. All told, that congregation totals nearly 20,000 people. He was the chaplain at Dooly State Prison in Unadilla, GA, prior to returning to VSP in September 2021. He is a former Senior Victim Specialist and Victim Offender Dialogue Program Manager and subject matter expert with the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles.
He was baptized in the Name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost at God’s House Church, Albuquerque, NM, in January 1977. He was called to the ministry in September 1977 and has subsequently served in leadership for congregations in the United States as well as in Europe, the Middle East and Central America.
A native of McDonough, Ga., Bishop Miller is a highly-decorated 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He has served in posts around the globe, including Spain, Panama, Italy, Germany, and most notably on the staff of the late General H. Norman Schwarzkopf during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia.
Bishop Miller has a daily radio broadcast, heard by nearly 200,000 listeners throughout South Georgia and North Florida. He is a recognized preacher, teacher and conference facilitator.
He has earned a number of degrees, certifications, and citations, including Level 1 CPE and both Georgia Department of Corrections and HeartBound Ministries Chaplain of the Year for 2014. He is a certified Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) IT instructor, a State-certified Hostage Negotiator and a certified PEER Support Counselor for Georgia Public Safety.
He is an avid antique car buff and collector. He loves performing gospel music, sports and interacting with young people (and the young at heart).
Bishop Miller is honored to be the eldest son of the Reverend J.H. Miller and the late Bessie Fitch Miller. He is married to Lady Barbara Browning Miller and they have one son, Minister James Q. (Lady Josie) Miller, and two beloved grandsons and “Best Buds Forever,” James M. “Max” Miller and William Cooper Miller.