Jim worked as a Youth Trainer , teaching young people on YTS schemes how to use computers.
After doing this for a few years he somehow ended up studying theology and became an ordained minister, more to his suprise than anyone elses!
Jim continued in local pastoral ministry, with an emphasis on reaching out to those on the margins, placing an importance on children's and family ministry.
Jim has always had a love for, and a way with words. His songwriting came out of necessity, more than anything else and this grew to become the main part of his working life.
Over the next 25 years, Jim toured the UK and abroad with his unique brand of music shows.
During this time working as a professional songwriter and performer he produced over ten albums.
On this crazy journey he also mastered the skills of escapology and the highlight of some of his shows was escaping from a padlocked trunk, in handcuffs and a straightjacket!
Jim pioneered the use of innovative technology, animations, puppets , juggling and gospel illusions to communicate a relevant and meaningful presentation of a simple message, "You are unique, you are loved, there is a reason you are here"
Being on the road for a long time takes its toll, so after 25 years he decided to take a break from touring writing and performing.
He took time out to rest and recover and ended up teaching climbing and canoeing.
This break was good, helping him to move into a different rhythm of life.
During this time of slowing down, Jim began to learn afresh, how to live with the rhythms of the seasons.
Walking, climbing, and being in a canoe on the water, going at the river's pace became enlightening.
Experiencing the sacred in nature developed gradually into a growing transformative spiritual pilgrimage.
During this time he came a lot closer to the practice and traditions of contemplation and meditation (quiet prayer).
Walking and experiencing the healing calming nature of Labyrinths, in particular helped Jim refocus and see a love of walking & quiet meditative prayer comming together in a pilgrimage of 'sole to soul'.
A journey of perfection in love, a deepening of the simple message he travelled telling others about, "You are unique, you are loved, there is a reason you are here".
Today Jim continues to travel on these pilgrim paths of contemplation and action, singing along the way.
Pilgrim paths was set up to offer retreats and workshops using Labyrinths for personal growth and spiritual development.
Jim still does music concerts, and these fresh themes come out in his newer songs and performances.
Jim offers mentoring and accompanying others in contemplative practices and traditions in how to live an intentional life and practice of quiet prayer, meditation and using Labyrinths to walk the 'Sole to Soul'.
He is an active companion of the Northumbria Community, a new monastic progressive Christian community and regularly helps out at their retreat centre.
Jim is a Veriditas trained qualified advanced Labyrinth facilitator.
He was World Labyrinth Day co-ordinator for the Labyrinth Society 2019-2020.
He is available to lead quiet days. Labyrinth walks, retreats and workshops as well as music concerts.
Please contact him if any of this is of interest to you.
Jim Bailey Pilgrim Paths
Derbyshire, UK
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