Dr. James H. Ballard is an ordained Baptist minister, a Certified Reality Therapist, and a pastoral counselor.  He is the founder and president of Healing the Hurt Ministries.

A native of North Carolina, Dr. Ballard graduated from Mars Hill College and Carson Newman College.  He earned a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.   

Dr. Ballard served as a church pastor for congregations in North Carolina and Florida, and was a missionary in Brazil.  Ballard was the founder and Director of Counseling for the Counseling Center at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC, where he was also an associate pastor.  He frequently serves as onboard clergy with a major cruise line.

James H. Ballard is a popular speaker for churches, counseling organizations and Pain Management/Wellness associations. 

He is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management and the American College of Wellness, and is a Member of the American Association of Integrative Medicine.

Dr. Ballard is the author of hundreds of sermons and magazine articles and has written three books.

James Ballard is married to Joanne Ballard, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  The Ballards have three children and five grandchildren.