WE EXIST TO LOVE, LIVE, AND LEAD LIKE JESUS.

Meet Pastors James & Tara.

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Affectionately known by many as PJ and PT, James and Tara Scott are passionate followers of Jesus. More than anything, they desire to know Christ deeply, obey Him faithfully, and reflect His heart as faithful image bearers of God in the earth. Together, they seek to honor God through their marriage, their family, and their shared calling to shepherd His people with humility, integrity, truth, and compassion.

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Their lives and ministry are built on the unwavering conviction that when people genuinely encounter Jesus, everything changes…. hearts, homes, families, communities, and generations. Their greatest passion is to see lives transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, grounded in the truth of God’s Word, healed in authentic community, and equipped to love, live, and lead like Jesus. They believe the local church should be a place where truth is taught without compromise, God’s presence is welcomed without reservation, people are loved with authenticity, and every person is challenged to become all that God created them to be.

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For more than two decades, James and Tara have devoted their lives to preaching the Gospel, making disciples, strengthening families, and serving communities. Their ministry has always extended beyond the walls of the church, leading compassionate outreach initiatives that have provided nearly three million meals while serving thousands of individuals and families through holistic, wraparound care. They believe the Gospel is meant to be proclaimed in both word and deed, meeting spiritual and practical needs with the love, dignity, compassion, and hope of Jesus Christ.

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After faithfully planting and pastoring a thriving church in Charlotte, North Carolina for eleven years, the Lord called James and Tara back home to Philadelphia. While they never endeavored to plant another church, God, through an unexpected journey of obedience, began laying the foundation for something entirely new……. 215 Church.

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215 Church was born from a deep desire to honor Christ in both message and method, to build a ministry where Jesus remains at the center, Scripture is the final authority, integrity is non-negotiable, and the Holy Spirit is welcomed to transform lives.

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We believe people are never collateral damage. Every person is an image bearer of God, worthy of dignity, truth, compassion, and hope.

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That conviction shapes everything we do. It is why we are committed to sound doctrine, Spirit-led ministry, authentic discipleship, compassionate outreach, transparent leadership, and building a church where people are not simply welcomed, they are known, loved, equipped, and transformed.

As the parents of Jaidyn, Joshua, and Journey, James and Tara understand the beauty and responsibility of building strong families and healthy communities. Their prayer is that 215 Church would become a home where every generation encounters the presence of God, discovers their God-given identity, experiences healing and freedom, renews their minds through the truth of God’s Word, and is equipped to impact their homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and the world for Christ.

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Above all, James and Tara are not interested in building a platform, but are committed to building people. Their greatest joy is seeing men, women, students, and families transformed by the Gospel, growing into mature disciples, and living lives that faithfully reflect Jesus. Their hope is that everyone who walks through the doors of 215 Church will encounter the love of God, experience the power of His presence, and leave empowered to love, live, and lead like Jesus.