Jim Sheppard is the Chairman & Principal of Generis—a firm that’s at the forefront of empowering churches to cultivate a spirit of giving through innovative development strategies, coaching, and strategic planning.

Jim's journey to where he stands today is a remarkable story that intertwines a financial background with a deepening Christian faith. After passing the CPA exam, he set out in the business world, climbing the corporate ladder and reaching the C-Suite of a major financial services company, Jim experienced a profound encounter with Jesus at 28 that changed his trajectory. This redefined path led him from the pursuit of corporate success to a calling he hadn’t anticipated. Despite initially feeling drawn to pastoral service in 1991, it became clear through a series of divine interventions that his unique mission was elsewhere—to merge his business acumen with his newfound faith to serve churches and ministry organizations.

Over the last 32+ years, Jim has dedicated his life to this mission, becoming a beacon of generosity. He doesn't just talk the talk; he walks it by guiding pastors and church leaders through the complexities of discipleship and financial stewardship. His efforts, alongside those of his clients, have successfully mobilized over $2 billion in contributions towards local church ministries - addressing everything from annual giving hurdles to funding for ambitious capital projects.

But Jim's influence extends beyond his success as a Generosity consultant. He’s deeply invested in the future, dedicating significant time and energy to mentoring church planters and up-and-coming Millennial and Gen Z leaders within the church. His mission is to ensure that the next generation is poised to carry the torch of spiritually-motivated generosity and leadership.

An accomplished writer and speaker, Jim has shared his insights on generosity and ministry funding across various channels. He’s the co-author of the influential book "Contagious Generosity: Creating A Culture Of Giving In Your Church" and a co-host of the "Next Sunday" podcast, which focuses on empowering church leaders to make lasting impacts.

When he’s not serving churches and non-profits, Jim shares his life with his wife, Nancy, in the Atlanta, GA area, where they also enjoy the company of their two daughters, sons-in-law, and six grandchildren. His commitment to his faith and community shines through his active involvement in his local church as an elder and member of the Generosity Ministry Team, as well as his service on several impactful boards including Metro Atlanta Seminary, Global Need, 10Ten Project, and Nick Hurst Evangelism Ministries.