REVEREND DR. JAMES A. SIMMONS, D.MIN

Pastor Simmons was called by God to preach His Word in the spring of 1991.  He was licensed to preach on October 6, 1991, and ordained on July 6, 1996.  Immediately after being ordained, Pastor Simmons was called to pastor his first church at the early age of 25 years of age.

Pastor Simmons has earned his Bachelors and Masters Degree from Richmond Virginia Seminary in Richmond Virginia.  He was also conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity in April of 2014 by Cornerstone Christian University.

Pastor Simmons earned his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Virginia University of Lynchburg in May of 2019.  Dr. Simmons has released his first published book in August of 2021 entitled: Transitioning the 21^st Century Church from Membership to Christian Discipleship.  This book is available in paperback as well as downloads by way of Barnes and Noble and Amazon.   In 2023, he published his 2^nd book entitled The Joy Journal: A Daily Devotional Journal to bring Joy to your Journey.

As Pastor of First Good Samaritan, he is committed to “Making Disciples” as Jesus Christ commissioned us to do.  Pastor Simmons is determined to MAINTAIN the Great Commission of Jesus Christ instead of allowing the church to be DETAINED because it has allowed the Great Commission to be the Great Omission.

His teachings stress the strengthening of our relationship with Christ through discipleship which establishes the love we must have for one another.  It states in the gospel of John 13:34, 35 that, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Pastor Simmons has instituted several new ministries and re-organized current ministries to move towards accomplishing all that the GREAT COMMISSION requires.

-In, 2012-13 was appointed and served as the Leader of the Ministers, Moderators and State Presidents Division of the Progressive National Baptist Convention Eastern Region [Serving Pastors, Moderators and Leaders from Maine to Florida].

-Served as Facilitator/Instructor of The Mount Bethel Educational Congress teaching Christian Discipleship (2018- present). He also is being asked to present workshops on Christian Disciples to churches in the DMV and nationally by utilizing virtual platforms in our current season.

Pastor Simmons is happily married to LaKeisha Marie, and they are the proud parents of 5 beautiful children:  Brittany, Brianna, Cydney, Madison and Mason who are affectionately called his “starting 5.”