James Troyer lives in West Tennessee and is a member of Whiteville Mennonite Church. He has a life-long interest in poetry and hymn texts. He lived for many years in Central America, where he was involved in writing, translating, and publishing Spanish hymns. He is ordained as a deacon, currently on sabbatical. As an occupation he operates a small carpentry / construction business. He enjoys poetry, theology, and occasionally singing on choirs. He and his wife Irene have four children, and they enjoy traveling, wood-working, and hobby farming.