When I was 10 years old my mom and dad took me to Southside Baptist Church in Deland, FL. While Pastor Hugh Hawkins was preaching about salvation and Hell, I realized I was lost and on my way to hell, if I were to die right then. The Holy Spirit was convicting me of being lost. When the preacher gave the invitation at the end of the sermon I practically ran down to the front, took the preachers hand and told him I wanted to get saved. He took his Bible and showed me the verses which explain how to be saved. Then I prayed and asked Jesus to save me. On April 21, 1974 I was baptized in a church member's pool by the pastor. I continued to go to church with my parents and learned more about Jesus and His Holy Word!

It was not until February 24, 1991 (17 years later) that I surrendered to become a pastor. I received my Associates in Biblical Studies degree from Bethany Bible College June 2, 1992. On June 7, 1992 Anchor Baptist Church in Seville, FL. licensed me to preach the Gospel. I have served as an Assistant Pastor at Word of Faith Bible Church (Baptist) and Welaka Baptist Church. I received my first church to pastor Easter Sunday 1999, First Baptist Church of Barberville.

Pastor Jimmy Dean