Rev. Dr. James M. Capers

Obituary of Rev. Dr. James M. Capers

 Rev. Dr. James M. Capers, 76, loving Patriarch of the Capers family, Interim Pastor of Salem Lutheran Church, Indianapolis, claimed the fullness of his baptismal promises on January 23, 2025. Reverend Capers was born November 26, 1948 to the late Calvin and Elitha Capers in New York City, New York. He was the youngest of three children, brother, Calvin Glenn Capers and sister Olivia Joan Capers. 

 Pastor Capers has been nurtured in the traditions of the Missionary Baptist, African Methodist Episcopal, Episcopal and the Christian and Missionary Alliance churches. He served the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) a predecessor body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), as a Lay-Associate, doing community ministry in Bronx borough in the city of New York. 

 Pastor Capers did his undergraduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, receiving a Bachelor of Music. He was called to the Christian ministry and was licensed at the Canaan Baptist Church of Christ in New York City. After finishing his work as a Lay Associate in the LCA, he attended the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, where he received his Master of Divinity degree in 1976. He later attended the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, where he received his Doctorate of Ministry in 1994.

 He served as pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Laurelton, NY from May 1976 - August 1981. He provided ordained leadership, mentored and developed leaders within the congregation.

 He then served as developer and subsequent Pastor of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church from August 1981 - December 1987 in Savannah, Georgia. Developer and subsequent Pastor of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, responsible for the development of a congregation of believers and setting up this fellowship to minister in the community, supplying a witness to and through others.

 While being called as the pastor of this congregation he was appointed by the Division for Parish Services to be the Pastor Director of Evangelical Outreach, a voice for evangelism in the LCA and the head of what was called the Pastor Evangelist Program of the LCA. 

 Pastor Capers then served as the Director for Evangelism Training and Motivation for the Division for Congregational Ministries, ELCA January 1987 - March 1994 in Chicago, IL; co-managing a staff of 21 in that division. During that time, he also earned the Doctor of Ministry degree at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago with an emphasis on Worship and Evangelism. 

 He later became pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Decatur, GA which he served from August of 1994 to 1998. Pastor Capers was responsible for ministering, directing and developing mission and ministry in the Decatur, GA area.

 Formerly he served as the Assistant to the Bishop and Mission Director for New Congregations of the Southeastern Synod, ELCA from March 1998 - March 2002. In this position, he was responsible for locating sites and areas for new congregational starts of the Southeastern synod. The Synod comprised of the four southern states: Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. He was responsible for counseling and supporting pastor developers and persons who gave leadership to new congregations. Working with congregations of color on mission and ministry.

 Reverand Capers served and retired as minister pastor/developer of Lamb of God Church of Indianapolis, IN. This congregation did not come to the point of organization which then led him to active ministry with a developing ministry outside the Lutheran family and in serving Lutheran Churches throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean. 

 Rev. Capers has written resources that have served congregations all over the United States and Caribbean: Planning Revivals in African American Settings, 1992, Augsburg Fortress, The Liturgy of Joy, 1992, Augsburg Fortress, and African American Evangelism: Proclaiming the Power, 1996 Augsburg Fortress. He also participated in the publication of the hymnal resource “This Far By Faith”, Augsburg Fortress, providing a number of harmonizations and musical compositions. 

 He has written other articles that have appeared in the following publications: Journal for the Academy for Evangelism, 1989, Journal of the Metro-Chicago Synod, ELCA, 1995. He has written several articles for publications including in 1998 an article for Lutheran Women Today on “Singing the Story”, A Bible Study for Outdoor Ministries for the camping program, and the Bible Story for “In the City For Good” a resource for what was then called the Division for Outreach, ELCA. 

 Pastor Capers had been a sought-after speaker both within the ELCA and in other Christian circles. An accomplished musician, composer and singer and he had worked with youth assemblies and other churchwide gatherings. 

 He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 12 years, Veronique Capers; his brother and sister-in-law Calvin and Sheila Capers; Daughters, Kiesi Bouger and Lee Ara Watson; Sons-in-Laws, Milton Bouger and Edward Watson, Sons, Urie Guerrier, and Bryan Reid; Grandchildren: Carla and Julian Capers, Malcolm (Hannah) and Mitchell (Autumn) Julian, Morgan Capers, Marshall Darnell, and Madison Kiesi Watson; Great-Grandchildren: Aspen Marie and Apollo James Julian; Nephews: Calvin Kibwe (Denise) and Glen Jawara Capers; In-laws Marie Guerrier, Marsha Jean-Baptiste, Alex Candio, Robinson Candio; and a host of family and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife of 41 years Barbara Capers (d. 2011), his son James Darnell Capers (d. 2010), and sister, Rev. Olivia Joan Capers.

 His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord…”

~Matthew 25:21 (KJV)