Reverend Dr. James E. Fouther, Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois. His father James Ellis Fouther, Sr. attended Talladega College; a UCC related institution. His mother was born and reared in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Fouther’s parents met when they were members of the Congregational Church of Park Manor, UCC and their pastor was the Rev. Dr. William Faulkner, father of Open Door founding member Mrs. Marie Faulkner Brown.
Dr. Fouther completed his B.A. degree at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, his Master of Divinity degree at Chicago Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry degree at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He began his doctoral studies while serving as pastor of Church of the Open Door. He is married to Angelle Collins Fouther and they have two daughters, Danielle and Daryn. Miss Daryn Alexandria Fouther was born in Miami while Pastor Fouther was serving the Church of the Open Door. Pastor Fouther was the youngest minister to serve the church and was Senior Pastor and Teacher from December 1994 until March of 2001.