Smiling Icon Ministries Founder

 Jim Valekis was born in Alabama with a “bouzouki” on his knee. His Greco-American parents raised their family as part of a thriving Greek Orthodox community in Birmingham.

As a teenager captivated by the radio teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong, Valekis defied his roots and eventually followed a call to pastor in the Worldwide Church of God. When the former cult transitioned into Evangelicalism, Jim followed, continuing to pastor in Grace Communion International. He helped pastor a small independent church for a few years after that, but he stepped down from being a pulpit pastor to engage more directly in the mission field of the marketplace and everyday life. He’s become what he calls a “Smiling Icon.” He wants to help individuals, companies, churches, and our very confused modern-day American society be filled with them.

Most recently Valekis co-founded the vision for the Tipp Center, a faith-based business and resource hub, where he is the chaplain. Jim holds a master’s degree in Biblical Studies from Earlham School of Religion.

He enjoys hanging out with his wife Becky, biking, painting, and sharing (especially over Greek comfort food) how his new theological understanding connects back in profound ways with the ancient Trinitarian fabric of his Orthodox upbringing, a relational Christ-centered fabric expansive enough to include every human being.