Biography
Bishop Dr. James N. Hassell is a pastor, theologian, and discipleship architect with more than three decades of ministry experience. He is the founder and senior leader of a thriving faith community and the creator of the Kingdom Formation Series — a body of curriculum designed to move disciples from surface-level religion to deep, transformational Kingdom living.
Dr. Hassell's theological vision is rooted in a single conviction: that the Church does not need more information — it needs transformation. His teaching ministry is built on the belief that spiritual disciplines, practiced consistently over time, do not merely change what a person does but who a person fundamentally is. This conviction gave birth to the central metaphor of his most celebrated work: the Two Jars.
The Pickle Principle, his flagship curriculum, uses the image of a cucumber soaking in brine to illustrate the transforming power of immersion in God's presence. Just as a cucumber becomes a pickle by soaking in the right solution, a disciple becomes Christlike by soaking in the right spiritual environment — prayer, Scripture, worship, community, and service. The curriculum has been used by churches, small groups, and individuals across the country to catalyze genuine, lasting transformation.
Building on the foundation of The Pickle Principle, Dr. Hassell developed Keys to the Kingdom — a systematic exploration of eighteen spiritual laws that govern Kingdom living. Drawing on deep exegetical study and decades of pastoral observation, Keys to the Kingdom provides disciples with a comprehensive theological framework for understanding how God's Kingdom operates and how to align their lives with its principles.
Recognizing that transformation must begin in the youngest generation, Dr. Hassell extended the Kingdom Formation Series to include the Teen Edition and the Children's Edition — age-appropriate adaptations of the Two Jars framework that bring the same transformational theology to youth and children in language and activities suited to their developmental stage.
Dr. Hassell holds advanced degrees in theology and ministry leadership. He is a sought-after speaker, conference teacher, and ministry consultant who has trained pastors, church leaders, and discipleship teams across multiple denominations. His teaching combines rigorous biblical scholarship with pastoral warmth, making complex theological concepts accessible and immediately applicable to everyday life.
He is the author of all seven titles in the Kingdom Formation Series and continues to develop new curriculum resources through his ministry. He and his family are based in the United States, where he continues to pastor, teach, and equip the Body of Christ for the work of Kingdom formation.
The Kingdom Formation Series
Seven standalone titles. One mission — to immerse disciples of every age in the transforming presence of God.
The Pickle Principle
AdultsA 12-Week Immersion in Spiritual Discipline
The flagship curriculum. Twelve weeks of teaching on the discipline-vs-indulgence framework, built around the Two Jars metaphor. Designed for adult small groups, Sunday school classes, and individual study.
Keys to the Kingdom
Adults18 Spiritual Laws That Unlock Kingdom Living
A systematic theology of Kingdom living. Eighteen laws drawn from deep exegetical study, each unpacked with reflection questions, prayer declarations, and practical application. Required reading for church leadership teams.
The Pickle Principle: Teen Edition
Teens8-Week Teen Transformation System
The Two Jars Framework adapted for teenagers. Eight weeks of bold, concrete teaching on identity, spiritual discipline, and Kingdom living — designed specifically for the challenges and culture of adolescence.
Unshakable Faith
AdultsBuilding a Life That Endures
Eight sessions on building a faith that stands firm through every storm. Drawing from 2 Peter 1:5-10, this curriculum leads disciples through the essential virtues that form the foundation of an enduring Christian life.
Busting the Myths of the Power Couple
CouplesA Christian Perspective on Covenant Marriage
Twenty-one chapters guiding couples through the complexities of modern relationships, illuminated by Christian values. This curriculum dismantles the myth of the power couple and replaces it with Kingdom truth: strength lies not in competition, but in completion.
Taking the Wheel in a Moving Car
LeadersA Discipleship Program for New Leaders & Pastors (2nd Ed.)
Nine sessions of Kingdom-centered leadership wisdom for new pastors and leaders navigating the complexities of ministry. Learn to lead with confidence, humility, and divine direction while the car is already in motion.
The Pickle Principle: Children's Edition
Children6-Week Faith Formation for Ages 5–12
The Two Jars come alive for young disciples. Six weeks of age-appropriate lessons, Bible stories, hands-on activities, and Scripture memory that teach children to choose God's brine — building lifelong habits of faith from the earliest age.