What does your job involve?
Equipping believers by using my spiritual gifts of teaching and leadership to make disciples.
Where were you born and raised?
Humboldt, Tennessee.
How large was the family you grew up in?
There were six of us.
When did you come to know Christ?
At Vacation Bible School when I was 10 years old.
What was the first job you ever had?
I was a bank teller.
Where did you go to college?
I got my Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and my Master of Divinity in Theology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
What did you do after college?
I was a chemical engineer for DuPont Company in a textile fiber plant.
When and to whom did you marry?
I married Linda Lewis in July of 1973.
How many children do you have?
Three, a daughter and two sons.
How did you get into ministry?
I was called by God in 1974.
Where did you serve before coming to First Orlando?
I began as an associate pastor at Lakeside Baptist Church in Metarie, Louisiana. I then became the Minister to Youth, College and Single Adults at Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, where Jim Henry was the Senior Pastor. I was ordained to the Gospel Ministry there in 1975.
When did you start working at First Orlando?
In June of 1980.
What else have you done here at First Orlando?
My responsibilities have included outreach, single adults, office manager, discipleship training, new members, overall education, married adults and preaching.
What other ways do you serve?
I devote several weeks a year to preach at revivals and teach Bible conferences on various subjects such as the Church, spiritual gifts, spiritual warfare, prophecy, etc.
What were the turning points of your life?
Trusting Christ and my call to ministry.
What do you like most about your job?
Seeing people mature as Christians.
What is your most memorable moment in ministry?
Seeing each one of my kids come to Christ.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
I have many.
What do you like to do with your free time?
I like spending time with my family, playing golf and coaching basketball.
If you weren’t a pastor, what would you be doing?
I’d be a lawyer.
Is there something about you people would be surprised to learn?
How much I enjoy solitary, physical activity.
Words of praise by Jim Henry:
Back in 2005, then Senior Pastor Jim Henry had this to say about Jimmy on his 25-year anniversary at First Orlando: “It’s been a privilege to walk with Jimmy through a large part of his spiritual journey. I’ve watched him mature into one of the premier leaders in discipleship in all the land. He has been a key component of God’s blessings on our church for the last quarter century. I count it all joy to serve with this hard-working, dedicated and loyal friend. We salute Jimmy and Linda for their steadfast faithfulness in life and ministry.”