Rev. James N. Preston was born in Pittsburgh, PA and raised and educated in Rochester, N.Y.  He attended Howard University and St. Jon Fisher College, before making the decision to become a Funeral Director/Embalmer.  Pastor Preston graduated from Simmons College of Mortuary Science in Syracuse, New York.  He has been actively involved in funeral service since 1969 and currently owns and operates Preston Funeral Home in Phoenix with his wife Irene.
 
Rev. Preston moved to Phoenix in 1982, where he accepted his calling to preach the gospel.  On January 6, 1997, Pastor Preston was called to pastor Bethesda Community Baptist Church.  On March 23, 1997 Rev. James Preston, with his wife Irene Preston, was installed as Pastor of Bethesda Community Baptist Church.  In addition to serving in the ministry for over 22 years, Pastor Preston has also conducted grief support groups for over 20 years through his business, and considers it a tremendous blessing from God to have the opportunity to serve in the ministry of bereavement through his business as well.