Pastor James (Santiago) Dunham shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Pastor James (Santiago) , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Pastor James Dunham, collaborating with John Riley Jr, together are involved a Miami based program called: “KCC Steam”. KrossPlayGaming Catalyst Center (KCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering under-represented youth, young adults, and students with special needs who face social and economic disadvantages. Our aims are to bridge the gap between arts and technology, fostering career pathways for individuals through alternative training and credentialing. This initiative will establish a center for creative technologies, providing accessible entry–level tech education, training, and networking opportunities with local companies’ targeting residents in under-represented low-income communities.
The goal is to create an incubator for artistic and technological expression, fostering economic growth through arts and tech education and workforce development. Our joint business and marketing plan between the local municipalities, private foundations, private companies and KCC outlines a collaborative partnership effort between a private technology foundation and the local municipalities to foster the natural synergistic relationship between arts and technology to benefit its local under-represented low-income residents.
Our unique approach combines eSports with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education framework-leveraging competitive gaming, teamwork, and technology to foster digital augmentation and build career pathways in today’s digital economy by engaging the underserved communities (particularly with higher childhood poverty) while also challenging the notion that the traditional two- and four-year college degree is mandatory for career access and success within the technology industry. Using shorter, flexible learning intervals and offering mentorship, leveraging local municipalities financial support, and practical experience to navigate the rapidly evolving tech landscape will empower career explorers and young talents.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
A: Hi, I’m Pastor James (Santiago) Dunham, First Lutheran Church of Miami, Florida.
I have been teaching classes in fourteen (14) different languages for 20+ years.
We celebrate diversity here in our music, teaching, and worship programs, and offer music
from our musicians to the Miami community.
I also teach music in 14 languages. I teach
youth and families in: Spanish, French, Hebrew, Greek, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese,
Japanese, Italian, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Russian, Urdu, English, and
small elements of ASL sign language to our precious little deaf children. I also have
been counseling children and families 20+ years.
See our amazing team collaborating with our dear brothers and sisters at KCC Steam, in action at:
https://kccplus.org/who-we-are/#meet-the-team
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Pastor James Dunham, working in colloboration with our amazing youth director, Mr. John Riley Jr share the same mission, vision and passion: We are brothers in every sense of the word:
I have truly loved every day and every night of connecting with our amazing musicians, teachers, and worshipers. Our current Board of Directors is comprised of such beautiful diversity, including my dear friends, Anastasia Leech (27), amazing singer, artist, multi-talented businesswoman, who is our president. Her brother Winston and sister in law, Quiqui are also heartbeats to our family. Qiuqiu is an amazing fashion designer, gracing us with her beautiful fashion designs as well!
I would love the opportunity to introduce a very dear friend and collaborator, Mrs. Carol Foley, who is an amazing friend, and part of this community vision. Carol Foley is the ultimate professional, and amazingly helpful in assisting clients into health insurance and answering health insurance questions. Please consider her for all your health insurance needs! Carol can be reached at: 610 639 5616 or: carolfoleyinsurance@gmail.com
Also, I am blessed to work with in the Miami Community, Vaness de la Llama, an uber talented psychologist, who is doing phenomenal work with youth and adults.
Vanessa can be contacted at: 7700 Kendall Drive, #300N. Miami, FL.
Vanessa@VDLTherapyServices.com
305 215 0672. Vanessa is an absolute top notch psychologist in Miami!
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I’m blessed to know and collaborate with my dear friend Dr. Emilio Sanchez, internationally renowned teacher and lecturer. Dr. Sanchez will be leading teaching and lectures this year beginning g in Janruary 2026 at our church, we hope it is for years to come! We love Dr. Sanchez, Sylvia and all of our dear students that Dr. Emilio leads in the classes!
In addition, I’d like to extend a special thanks to our dear Captain David Whitten, who also
serves as our cantor along with Ms. Leech. Captain Whitten is one of the most honorable men I have ever known, and beloved by our church family, and our community!
We thank our dear Dr. Adam Novak, for his great life experiences, wisdom and sense of humor. Thank you, Adam!
Also, special thanks to Captain Barry Allen and his lovely and talented wife, Cathy. We, at First Lutheran, to a person, are deeply committed to the great commission of our Lord Jesus to “take the Gospel to all nations”.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, it is, great question!
Our church website at the learning center: First Lutheran Church of Miami is: firstlutheranchurchofmiami.com
My linkedin.com account, has supplemental information about me, under the username: Pastor James Dunham (Miami, Florida). https://www.linkedin.com/in/pastor-james-%E2%99%A5%EF%B8%8F-dunham-399ab581/recent-activity/all/
I can be contacted for more information about our 1pm Sunday worship, or any questions at: Pastorjamesdunham@gmail.com
Or: 313 670 3830
We offer classes in 14 languages to our community, or ESL classes or premarital counseling classes as well. I have been blessed to teach in Washington state, where I was counseling youth, and serving as pastor, Michigan, where we built a new church, outside of Los Angeles, CA, and into Hermosillo, Senora, Mexico, where I taught Spanish and the Word to our beloved LA community!
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Pastor James Dunham, and John Riley Jr, together on a mission to bring the Gospel to all, and equality to all, including our dear children in every community, via John’s amazing computer skills, teaching, IT proficiency and computer coding, can be seen in the following examples:
See our amazing team collaborating with our dear brothers and sisters at KCC Steam, in action at: https://kccplus.org/who-we-are/#meet-the-team
KCC Steam: Who We Are
KrossPlayGaming Catalyst Center (KCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering under-represented youth, young adults, and students with special needs who face social and economic disadvantages. Our aims are to bridge the gap between arts and technology, fostering career pathways for individuals through alternative training and credentialing. This initiative will establish a center for creative technologies, providing accessible entry–level tech education, training, and networking opportunities with local companies’ targeting residents in under-represented low-income communities.
The goal is to create an incubator for artistic and technological expression, fostering economic growth through arts and tech education and workforce development. Our joint business and marketing plan between the local municipalities, private foundations, private companies and KCC outlines a collaborative partnership effort between a private technology foundation and the local municipalities to foster the natural synergistic relationship between arts and technology to benefit its local under-represented low-income residents.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://firstlutheranchurchofmiami.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jriley49, https://www.linkedin.com/in/pastor-james-%E2%99%A5%EF%B8%8F-dunham-399ab581
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jriley49
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pastor-james-%E2%99%A5%EF%B8%8F-dunham-399ab581
Image Credits
Additional contact info:
John Riley Jr: Krossplaygaming.com
johnrileytechsolutions7@gmail.com
561 674 3150
Pastor James Dunham
313 670 3830
pastorjamesdunham@gmail.com
Firstlutheranchurchofmiami.com
