Dallas ministry guru Larry James ‘a rare, talented guy’

Larry James, president and chief executive officer of CitySquare, talks with a man who wished to remain unidentified at the Opportunity Center, which is under construction in South Dallas. (Photo by Brad Loper, Dallas Morning News, via dallasnews.com)

The Dallas Morning News reports:

Just south of Deep Ellum and Interstate 30, a warehouse-chic campus is taking shape in one of Dallas’ most blighted neighborhoods.
CitySquare, the nonprofit formerly known as Central Dallas Ministries, is building the Opportunity Center, a $12.5 million complex that will house one of the nation’s largest hunger-relief pantries and a commercial kitchen that will prepare a million meals for at-risk children each year.
The center, which will also offer job training, employment services and health programs, will be Larry James’ latest offensive to improve the lives of the city’s most disadvantaged.
The 63-year-old former Church of Christ preacher never imagined that he’d be an office-tower landlord, homebuilder, real estate developer, medical provider, caterer, food distributor and job trainer, much less the chief executive of a corporation with $15 million in revenue.
But that’s what he’s become as president and CEO of CitySquare.
“It’s overwhelming at times,” James says in his administrative offices on Akard Street downtown. “The best thing I’ve got going is the great people who work here.”
Dallas businessman Jim Sowell, who recruited James from the pulpit of Richardson East Church of Christ nearly 19 years ago, says James is being characteristically modest.
“Larry can be helping a person in dire circumstances one minute, and an hour later, he’s in the office of somebody on the Forbes 400 list asking them for a donation — and he’ll probably leave with it,” says the principal of Sowell & Co., a private investment firm. “He’s a rare, talented guy.”

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• Feedback
  I’ve known Larry for over 25 years and what he has accomplished comes as no surprise to me. He’s always been that kind of guy with a love for God and for the less fortunate people of the community. I wish him all the best going forward!!

  Don Kleppe

  April, 4 2013

  I had the great privilege to work for Larry for four years… and can attest that he is indeed among the most rare and talented men I’ve ever met. Years later, I continue to marvel at how much he taught me and how deeply he affected my life. Our world is better for his life.

  Jeremy Gregg

  April, 8 2013