Jim Essian planted The Paradox Church in 2011 in Downtown Fort Worth and serves as Lead Pastor. He played eight years of professional baseball in the Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Detroit Tigers organizations, prior to planting.
He founded the church planting network Plant Fort Worth, which has seen 15 churches planted in the Greater Fort Worth area in the last 6 years. He is the author of Jesus For You: He Became Like You So You Could Become Like Him. Jim is married to Heather and they have three girls: Harper Grace, Hollis Jane, and Hadden Faith.