Military Bible Association

James F. Linzey was born at Balboa Naval Hospital on September 26, 1958, in San Diego, California, to Captain Stanford E. Linzey Jr., Chaplain Corps, United States Navy (Ret.), and Verna May Hall Linzey, DD (Doctor of Divinity). Jim is the only living author of a military hymn, the United States Space Force Hymn (Creator of the Universe). It is the first military hymn written in 105 years. He wrote one of the only four official institutional military prayers ever written—the “Leader’s Training Course Prayer”—for the US Army Cadet Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 

Linzey served as the state chaplain for the United States Reserve Officers Association, Department of California (1991-1994); and state chaplain for the California Military Officers Association (2012-2017). He is a former United States Air Force chaplain, having attained the rank of captain. He retired from the United States Army as a chaplain with the rank of major. He also served as a chaplain for the United States Volunteers-Joint Services Command and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel, and then served as the chief of chaplains for the United States National Defense Corps, from which he retired with the rank of colonel.

With his brother Paul, Linzey co-wrote “A Heart of Love,” which was a finalist in the 1996 Dove Awards as part of a compilation CD titled When the World Turns to God. He has two CDs, You Were Always There and Narrow Road, and has sung on television throughout the world, including on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, the Vision Channel, and God’s Learning Channel. He has also been interviewed on these networks, as well as on the Daystar Television Network.

Linzey sang on the soundtrack for the 2012 motion picture, Iniquity (20/20 Visions Entertainment Group), which is a modern update of the story of David and Bathsheba. He also made a cameo appearance in the role of a military chaplain. Jim harmonized with his mother, Verna, who sang the lead vocal on “The Rose” by Bette Midler. Linzey wrote two of the devotionals for the 2018 motion picture Indivisible (Pure Flix). Based on the true story of Army Chaplain Darren Turner and his wife Heather, the film featured noted actors Sarah Drew, Justin Bruening, and Eric Close. Linzey has also hosted Operation Freedom television programs, which have been aired across the world.  

As an Air Force reserve chaplain, Linzey was nominated as the “Best IMA Reservist of the Year” in 1992. He served as a division level chaplain as the command chaplain of the largest mobilization and demobilization mission in the continental United States with the 5035th Garrison Support Unit at Fort Bliss, Texas. The Department of the United States Air Force features Linzey’s documentary on the “Battle of Midway” on the Air Force Mentoring Resources website.

Linzey is the chief editor of the Modern English Version Bible translation and the founding president of Military Bible Association, Inc. He is also the editor of The Military Bible by Military Chaplains, which is endorsed by five admirals and generals.

Jim is ordained as a Southern Baptist minister. He received a BA in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in religion from Southern California College, a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Kingsway Theological Seminary. Linzey remains one of the most successful chaplains to have ever served in the United States Armed Forces.