Dr. James Melton is executive director of CARE4M.O.R.E. (formerly CARE Philippines), as well as of Music Across Borders.  He has teaching experience at both the college and seminary level for over 40 years, including Western Baptist Seminary, Phoenix Seminary, and Arizona College of the Bible (now Arizona Christian University). For 25 years, James taught at Vanguard University (Costa Mesa, California) where he served as Chair of the Department of Music, as well as Dean of Communication & the Arts during his tenure as Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities. His various ensembles presented concerts throughout the western U.S., touring extensively both nationally and internationally in major concert halls around the world, including Europe, South Korea, mainland China, and the Philippines. His choirs, orchestras, and worship teams/bands have 21 recording projects to their credit. 

Dr. Melton has served churches from 500 members to over 7,000 members over the past 45 years as pastor of worship/music ministries, executive pastor, missions pastor, and church planter. He has been the keynote speaker for the International Worship Symposium in Lisbon, Portugal five times, and has served as editor for “The New Worship”: Straight Talk on Music and the Church, the Leadership Journal, and contributed to three yearly devotional books: “New Every Morning”, “Rise Up and Praise Him”, and “Joy in the Morning”, along with writing numerous devotionals and articles on leadership.  James earned his doctorate from Arizona State University, as well his master’s degree, and received his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma Baptist University.

Dr. Melton is passionate about cross-cultural missions, actively partnering with schools, universities, churches, orphanages, and non-profit organizations throughout Southeast Asia, particularly in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, and the Philippines.