James Franklin Strietelmeier

James Franklin Strietelmeier,
April 29, 1965–May 7, 2023

A beloved husband, father, brother, friend, and minister of the Gospel, Jim Strietelmeier was called to be with Lord on May 7, 2023. He spent his childhood divided between working the family farm in rural Indiana and among the city folk of Indianapolis. At an early age, the Lord shaped him to cross cultures for the sake of the Gospel. A graduate of Indianapolis Baptist High School in 1983, Jim was called to overseas missions and enrolled at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, graduating in 1986 with a BA in International Ministries and American Intercultural Ministries. While ministering at Wheeler Mission’s Camp Hunt, he met his devoted wife Debra Jackson, who accompanied him on the journey to bring the Gospel to ends of the earth and to the poor. They were married on August 15, 1987 at Wheeler Mission chapel at Camp Hunt. Afterwards, they traveled halfway around the world to minister to the people in Apartheid South Africa. The following year they returned to Indianapolis, where Jim continued education at IUPUI. After joining an internship with Zionsville Fellowship Church, both he and Debbie partnered with them to plant a church among the poorest zip codes in the city of Indianapolis. Starting it within their own home, they named the church Neighborhood Fellowship in keeping with the command to love your neighbor as yourself. This theme guided every ministry Jim and Debbie took on. Neighborhood Fellowship eventually outgrew their living room, and the congregation moved into an old church building at 3102 East 10th Street, Indianapolis. Neighborhood Fellowship continues to meet there today. The new congregation eventually became church planters themselves to further the message of the Gospel, as Jim and his brother-in-law Phil Jackson, and friend Doug Elliott planted Christ the King, in Thorntown, IN.
Jim and Debbie’s door has always been open to those in need in the community. Their house was continuously bustling with the raising of their 8 children and the care of the families and individuals receiving the Strietelmeier hospitality. Their faith called them to be a mother and father to the fatherless. Where they saw need among the neighborhood, they sought to meet it. Thus in 2009, they partnered with the IU Medical Students and Butler School of Pharmacy to offer a free clinic in the neighborhood to any and all who needed healthcare. It is now the largest volunteer student clinic in the nation.
In February 2022, their Alma Mater, Moody Bible Institute recognized Jim and Debbie’s lifelong ministry by recognizing them as Alumni of the Year. Jim’s ministry continued to the very end as he battled pancreatic cancer. Even just four days before his death, he delivered the communion service to the congregation that loved him dearly. At the time of his passing he was surrounded by friends and family. The hospital staff were amazed at the crowd of people who desired to be near him in his last hours. Jim is survived by his wife Debbie; his children Abigail (Phuoc) Dinh, Elizabeth (Austin) Parker, Moses (Audra) Strietelmeier, Joseph Strietelmeier, Michelle Strietelmeier, Jacob Strietelmeier, Thomas Strietelmeier, and Jose Strietelmeier; sisters Terri (Jim) Orner, Jerri (Patrick) Concannon, Susan (Chris) Brumfield, brother Tim (Rita) Strietelmeier; grandchildren Vincent, Autumn, Annie, and Samuel, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Mary Evelyn Strietelmeier. Visitation will be Monday, May 15, 2023, from 4 pm to 8 pm at Flanner Buchanan-Floral Park, 425 N. Holt Road, Indianapolis, IN 46222. Funeral service will be Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 11 am with visitation from 10 am at Traders Point Christian Church Downtown, 1201 N. Delaware Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202. Burial will follow at New Crown Cemetery. Memorial Contributions in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Compassion Clinic. PO box 11284, Indianapolis Indiana 46201